Myst Journey

Journals of Uru

Read the transcripts of the journals found in Uru: Ages Beyond Myst:

Monument to the Kings notebooks:

Douglas Sharper's notebook

Found in Ae'gura, Baron's office, linked to from Teledahn.

11.14.97 - Looks like they've agreed to let me take "control" of Teledahn. Time to start a journal. Officially.

11.17.97 - Maybe not. Kodama "popped in", going on about his inspections, in his usual arrogant manner. What a joke.

11.24.97 - Now it's Watson's turn. Acted as though he was chatting but I could tell he was looking all over, checking on my progress, or maybe making sure I can be trusted. I'll just get used to it.

11.25.97 - Time to move forward. DRC isn't going to change anytime soon.

12.15.97 - Merry Christmas. Going up for a few months. Can't take this red tape anymore.

1.29.98 - Yay for Broncos. Patriots should have been there. Stupid Steelers. Okay, maybe Teledahn will help me to forget all this.

2.15.98 - Looks like I'm going to need Watson after all. I've found all kinds of journals, and notes upstairs that I'm going to need translated. I think Watson is going to let one of his assistants help me out. Sam.

3.1.98 - Sam is not the fastest translator I've ever seen. I don't think he's even started. Kodama came by again today.

3.3.98 - Spotted something today. Creature of some kind. Forget the history of this place, for now. I've got to see that thing again.

3.7.98 - Saw her again. Wow. What a beauty.

3.9.98 - She's very sensitive to sound. Startles like an antelope. I'm estimating she's a good forty feet. Killer whale type. Hard shell though.

3.18.98 – No sign of her in this area, at least Sam said he’s going to have some time next week. At this rate...

3.25.98 - She showed up again. I saw her eating. She likes the flappers. Feeds on them. Pretty quick and agile for her size. Surprised me. Of course, those flappers aren't real bright. Those who weren't eaten went right back to the spot and waited for her to show up again.

Looks like this place was written in 8990 for a D'ni Lord. Guild of Caterers. 250th birthday present. If I'm ever 250, someone better give me something better than this place.

4.5.98 - Sam is busy again. Did get me some more translations though. Seems like the mushrooms were used for some kind of delicacy. To be honest I'm not sure Sam got that one right. Doesn't make a lot of sense, not with what I'm seeing.

4.7.98 - Watson told me Sam is too busy to help me. I'm going to have to learn this language myself, or find someone who can actually help me.

4.8.98 - Watched her for a while today. Definitely feeds on the flappers close to shore. Also feeds on mushrooms.

4.15.98 - Does she ever feed on mushrooms. Watched her completely destroy one today. Brought the whole thing down and fed for some time. Until scared off by something.

4.17.98 - Mushroom is gone. Probably sank. Kodama came by again today and I was glad the girl wasn't around. Last thing I need.

5.14.98 - 1. The flappers like the spores. 2. The creature likes the Flappers. 3. She's scared to death of loud sounds. If I get this equipment running, she's gone. Heading up in a week. Going to try and get this gate down before I go. See if she'll come in while I'm gone.

5.20.98 - Gate is down. See what happens when I come back. Hopefully there are mushrooms left.

8.12.98 - Three mushrooms were down. Seems all of them were a particular kind. She was in the lagoon. I think I could have taken her out, but not yet. DRC would have a fit. Probably kick me out or something. She's definitely an air breather. Could hear her today. Sleeping, on the surface. Kodama followed me here and scared the heck out of her. She woke and shot out of here, fast. Kodama never saw her. Apparently some new guy is learning D'ni and wants to work with me. We'll see.

8.28.99 - There are quite a few new people coming down. A group from some game company was recently here and there was quite a stir. I met a few of them. Nice guys.

9.15.98 - Haven't seen her for a full month. I'm going to start working on the equipment here. Can't wait forever and the DRC is getting on me. As though they owned the place.

10.1.98 - The tower is almost working. Need some tools from the surface. No sign of Shroomie. Met the new guy - Nick - nice guy. This might be real good. Smart guy. Picking up D'ni fast. He's going to keep at it, but I gave him some material to study in the meantime.

11.5.98 - Quick trip up and back down. Tower is working. Nick dropped off some translation and it all matches the old stuff. He's working on new material now. Tower is powered and more projects.

11.14.98 - These buckets are a mess. So is the elevator. Have found some kind of pump mechanism to get that water out. I think all of it will have to wait. I'm heading back up for holidays and end of season. Tickets to Monday night game against Miami. Patriots still in the playoff hunt.

1.7.99 - Patriots out. Back down. Nick is more than I could have hoped for. Seems up for keeping the translation out of DRC's hands. Has had some bad experiences with Kodama and Engberg and in my camp now. Perfect.

Apparently Hinahsh only owned the Age for ten years. At his death, Teledahn was left to the Guild of Caterers who installed the equipment that I'm working on today. Some of the translation has actually been rather helpful. I think I can get the pump working. Was never meant for water, but I think it would pump out the water.

Nick says there is quite a bit about a Guild Captain Ventus who ran the Age for quite a few years and directed the industrialization of the place. Did quite a job apparently. Although, Nick is still reading.

Signs of Shroomie, but I haven't seen her for a long time and I'm not going to stop working on the equipment now. Apparently no mention of her in the stuff Nick is reading.

2.4.99 - Pump works, although I'm keeping the water there. Nice form of protection to the other side. At least until I discover what it was used for. That's Nick's job now. I have my ideas though.

Seems as though Ventus installed the gate to keep Shroomie out of here. Didn't like her eating his mushrooms. Good idea.

2.6.99 - Ventus maybe wasn't so great after all. Ruined the place. Turned it into what we see now. Explains the differences in early descriptions to the later ones. Seems the Age was auctioned off and that's all of the official records. Nick can share those with the DRC. I don't mind.

2.8.99 - Showed Nick some of the manuscripts I've kept "hidden". I'm quite sure I can trust him. He's given the official report to Watson and the others and is willing to do these extra translations on the side. Good man.

3.1.99 - Watson, Kodama, and Sutherland came by today. It was pre-arranged so they didn't see anything they didn't need to. They seem satisfied with the work I'm doing, although the fact they continue to check on me still drives me mad. They say they want the Age ready for visitors relatively soon. I didn't realize that anyone and everyone would be allowed access to the place but why not I suppose. I'll still have my areas.

3.4.99 - Big argument today with Watson. Upset I didn't share with him all that Nick had translated. Mis-communication although I'm happy Nick has kept his mouth closed regarding the other. Regardless, I can't take their nit-picking. I'm heading to the surface for a long trip. Returning to Africa again with the fellows. Don't know when I'll be back here.

Nick knows to keep things quiet. I've set things up for Shroomie to return and I have plans to bring down some new items. Look forward to returning a long time from now.

2.15.00 - Back to Teledahn again. The surface trip triggered some ideas for here that I think I'll begin exploring. Some talks with Engberg might be in order soon.

Nick has gotten a load of translation done. I'm going to try and summarize as best I can. If I can remember everything.

This place was owned by a fellow named Manesmo. The man apparently got the place cheap somewhere. He started the harvesting of spores again - it seems the Age had corrected itself over time. Bread apparently, they were making. The same delicacy D'ni had raved about before. Made a decent amount of money.

However, he was doing lots of stuff in the dark. Slave trading. I'm sure Watson would have a fit if he knew this. His precious D'ni. Where they were going, we can't find out. But it explains the cages and the whole backside of this place, really. Hiding from Maintainers I suppose.

We found some more mention of Shroomie as well. Manesmo saw her pretty frequently. They even found her nest. I'm heading out tomorrow to see.

As far as Shroomie herself, she has been here but was not here when I arrived. Shrooms have managed to disappear and she broke a walkway on the backside. Have to fix that now.

2.17.00 - No nest. Remains, yes, but she's obviously not been there for a long time. This place is much bigger than I thought. Learned that today.

3.3.00 - The DRC is getting pretty serious about letting people down here. They have moved to The Island and are trying to get portions of the city open for visitors. Moving headquarters to a building there as well. I suppose I'm going to have to get serious about it as well. They're going to make me if I don't. So back to the equipment.

4.15.00 - Cars are giving me all kinds of trouble. So is this ridiculous elevator and I don't know why. I'm making a quick trip to the surface. Parts.

5.23.00 - Back with parts. Nick has found out that slaves were going to a place called Rebek. Haven't heard of it myself. I'm going to ask Watson tomorrow.

5.25.00 - Watson has heard of it. Says they've been there. Asked how I knew and I realized it was a mistake to ask about it. Told him Nick told me and fortunately Nick told me later he had been doing some official translation for the Age. Lucky me. Be more careful.

5.28.00 - Found a new book today. A very special book.

6.15.00 - Cars are working. Why they need to work I don't know but apparently the DRC wants this place restored to its original condition. So, cars are working.

7.2.00 - Elevators works. Finally. Nick tells me this Rebek Age was amazing but he was pulled off of it. Games with the slaves from here were played there. Hunting game of sorts. I'm not for hunting people but the game does sound fun. Doubt Watson will want to approve that Age too fast.

8.2.00 - DRC is planning on opening this place up in 2002. They, of course, haven't bothered to tell me that but regardless, it's true. Working on getting some lights going in here. I have a feeling inspections will be increasing.

8.10.00 - Watson informed me of the plans today. 2002 is the target. Thanks.

8.12.00 - Nick stopped by and we've got a little more information. Looks like there is some kind of weapon in our hands. At least it could be used as a weapon. After the lights.

8.15.00 - Inspection planned for next month.

9.12.00 - Lights are functioning. Cars. Doors. Elevators. Not sure what else they'll want but I'm sure they'll come up with something.

9.15.00 - Well, stupid me. I have an entire list of items that need to be accomplished for this place to be "safe". I won't be taking any more Ages after this one. Maybe a city location. I can't take this.

9.17.00 - Shroomie is back. Watched her all day. Out of the blue, I think she's starting to like me. This could be good. I'll give up working for a short while.

9.20.00 - She's nervous but coming back daily. I keep the gate down.

9.21.00 - She's trapped. Got the gate up with her inside eating flappers. Set her off. Pretty obvious she can be a nasty girl if she wants. But still I'll have a shot. And I need to do it before Kodama shows up.

9.22.00 - Got her. Time for a surface trip with the important parts. I'll sink the rest.

10.30.00 - Wooden walkways are fixed. Rails are up. Among the other things on the list of DRC requests. If this place isn't safe, I don't know what is. Inspection tomorrow.

Nick has dropped off some more translations. Seems as though a major inspection into the illegal activities was going on immediately before the fall. Doesn't look like they found anything.

11.1.00 - Inspection went fine. I guess this place is safe now. I'm heading back to the surface for more tools, football, and the holidays.

2.1.01 - Another missed playoffs. Oh well. Things are stressful here. One year to go for initial visitors and it is beginning to show. However Sutherland dropped by today. Nice woman. We had a nice talk.

2.5.01 - I'm helping out in the city now, not much work to do in Teledahn. Clean-up here and there. Maintain. I'm hoping for a certain location in the city, maybe my helping will get me some leverage with Watson. I'm enjoying the time with Sutherland anyway.

3.3.01 - More city work. Not much happening here.

4.7.01 - Nick managed to get me an extra Teledahn book today. Good man.

5.12.01 - Shroomie is back! Obviously not the same one, but we've got a new girl here. Amazing. I'm curious to know how many there are now. I think I'm going to try and schedule another trip in the next couple of months.

5.23.01 - The trip was a success. Amazing. There are quite a few of these creatures all over. Perhaps a seasonal thing. Waters where I had been before I found a pod of the creatures. And a bigger one. I'm not sure but these seem to be young ones. The larger creature was absolutely stunning. I've never seen anything like it in all my days of hunting. I was actually a little frightened. This thing could have swallowed my boat whole. To take even a small portion home would be... I'm going to have to think this one through.

6.1.01 - Back to work here. I'm installing a gun of some kind down on the docks. It's a D'ni mining instrument I believe. Regardless, the DRC, of all people, want it set up. Strange.

6.30.01 - Gun is up. Not working, but up. Laxman will have to get it working, or least give it a shot. Not familiar enough with this kind of D'ni technology.

7.5.01 - More city work and less Teledahn work. Did clean up the cages and the larger mushroom. Took out some crates and moved them upstairs. I think another surface trip is in order. Marie wants to go up as well.

10.12.01 - A little longer than I had expected for obvious reasons. Horrible tragedy. I'm happy to have D'ni. A distraction of sorts.

10.14.01 - I brought down a fish tank. At least the first part. Want to see if I can learn more about these flappers. I can get some young ones and some water from the lake. We'll see.

10.21.01 - The stress level is rising rapidly. Only a few months out and they are planning on bringing down some visitors. They are cleaning up a neighborhood for a group of new people. Interesting.

11.2.01 - Victor found some kind of communication device this week. A KI they are calling it. Very interesting device, I have to admit. Victor does seem to know his stuff, at least. Talked to Engberg about a building in the city that I'd like to have. We'll see.

11.3.01 - Victor can't get to the gun for a long time. In fact, DRC wants the whole thing taken out now. Fine by me.

11.5.01 - Found another new book today. Perhaps I have my city location now. Great view as well. I'm moving some things there. A little more out of the way. Glad I bought the more expensive fish tank now.

11.22.01 - Received a report from the surface. Patriots aren't doing well and I don't think I'm going home this holiday. I'll help here. Teledahn seems stable but Kodama has asked me to look at a different Age and help them out. Sounds like an interesting place. Ahnonay or something. Why not?

12.12.01 - Strange place. Needs lots of work but it's been good. I think I'm heading up to the surface. Watson had recommended we go up. Marie is joining me again.

2.10.02 - Wasn't supposed to be gone this long but who would have thought the Patriots would win the Super Bowl! I don't think Watson is very pleased but too bad. Visitors are down and I wasn't here to see them.

2.16.02 - The DRC wants me to go through Teledahn again, although I'm not sure why. This place has been cleaned up for months. Typical of them. I should know better by now.

2.17.02 - New Shroomie creature seems pretty happy here. Runs when the machinery comes on but usually returns. I usually leave the gate down.

2.23.02 - KI's are working great. Pretty amazing devices. Haven't met any new visitors. Watson says he doesn't want me to. Typical bureaucratic nonsense.

3.1.02 - They are ready to open up The Island. I have to admit I'm pretty excited about watching these people visit. I'd love for them to come to Teledahn, but the DRC insists it's not ready. Not sure what more they want.

3.20.02 - A new group of visitors are coming. The DRC is really hyping this one. Authorized explorers.

3.27.02 - Enjoyed talking to Robyn and Rand again. Nice guys. Hadn't seen them in a long time. The new authorized explorers seem to be enjoying themselves. Fun.

4.5.02 - Funny. DRC posts that restoration efforts will be given top priority this month. More meetings and more inspections when the Age has been ready for months. If it makes them feel better. They did acknowledge that I found the book. Wasn't expecting that.

On an even funnier note, all meetings are being held in the Tokotah now. I couldn't have asked for much more.

4.20.02 - So they made that public! Shroomie was in here and I had to make up some reason to postpone the trip. If they had seen the equipment and such, in fact, it's time to get rid of some of this. If the DRC had come here today, could have been bad.

4.25.02 - Phase Five approval. What's that even mean?

5.12.02 – Simpson told me about a pretty strange stone, so I tried it out. I want it myself. I think I’ll keep it here. Don’t really care what the DRC thinks of that either.

5.17.02 – Stone is gone. Vanished right out of my office. Where’s Simpson?

5.20.02 – Got the stone back again. Simpson claims it was back where he found it. Regardless this time I’m keeping it in a more secure location.

5.25.02 - Now Phase Five approval. I've been so angry this past month, I've been ready to thrown in the towel and head back up. It's utterly ridiculous what they are doing. The safety requirements they are pulling out. Somebody had better do something before we have an all out government down here. Although these threads on the forums may be something. The DRC, in secret, is suspecting Zandi. This could get fun.

Stone is gone again. How?

5.30.02 – Last time with the stone. I’m trying a more secure location.

6.03.02 – Gone again.

6.07.02 – I have the stone one more time. Simpson says he can’t take it again. So I’m trying one more thing. Gut feeling about these creatures.

6.18.02 - Watching people here has been fun. Maybe it all has been worth it.

6.20.02 – Stone hasn’t gone anywhere this time. I think they’re afraid of the hanging rocks. Interesting.

7.11.02 - Surprise, Rebek was shelved. I saw this one months ago.

7.23.02 - This is wild. They are flipping out over there with these Zandi breaches. Hilarious. I love it. Of course they haven't mentioned a thing to me yet. I'm sure they don't plan on it.

8.26.02 - Big meeting this weekend for the DRC. They don't know what to do about Zandi and it's driving them nuts. They think it's only going to get worse. I hope so.

9.3.02 - Kodama wants to bet on surface games now? Who would have thought but I'll take his money.

On a more adventurous note, Nick got us into Rebek today. Amazing. I'd love to spend some time there but we had to hurry. He tells me there is a new Age as well with creatures. I'd love to get there but I doubt it will happen. The DRC is sick to their stomach with this Zandi stuff. I'm on his side but I hope this just doesn't make things worse.

9.07.02 - Zandi is getting them on his side. I wish I could describe Kodama. Wow. I love it. I did see his sign on the surface. No one ever seemed to notice it though. I guess he's making them. Ha.

9.14.02 - Marie has lost it. A t-shirt? I agree with Kodama on that one.

10.14.02 - Kodama is taking money from me and it's driving me crazy. If I wasn't watching his veins burst in those meetings, I'd be much more angry. It's worth it though.

11.14.02 - Well Zandi is unstoppable now. He's going to bring people down and they can't stop him. It is funny but it's also more work. I want this to work for everyone so I'm helping out more where I can. Still hoping for leverage on that structure I've been wanting for a few years now anyway.

11.18.02 - This Zandi stuff is great. I do think the DRC is going to be ready for them but still more power to him. Amazingly, no one has officially talked to me yet from the DRC.

12.01.02 - Looks like URU is it now. Thanks to Zandi, again.

12.24.02 - Christmas Eve in Teledahn. If I imagine hard enough the spores look like a Northeast Christmas. Not really. I think I'm heading back for the playoffs and New Year.

1.05.03 - No playoffs but still a good New Year. This should be a fun year for D'ni. Also brought down some more fish tank pieces this trip. I think it's about ready. If I get a chance to work on it.

1.07.03 - Should be interesting to watch Zandi and the DRC as well. I'll be anxious to see who gets the power here.

2.01.03 - Looks like they are trying to get the upper hand. Explain the Zandi story and be up front about it. Watson had to convince some of his members of that one believe me. But probably smart.

3.15.03 - Ages are being approved, visitors are coming down. I'm losing time to write journals.

4.2.03 - Closing, opening. I don't understand the idea but the DRC is definitely trying to get ready for the new arrivals. Another large group just came down and it seems as though things are going fairly smooth.

5.4.03 - I've heard them talking recently about a house out on the Island. They are beginning initial restoration but I've got to find a way on that. Nick says the place is amazing. He's read some histories and the stories go on and on and way back. I'm going to talk to Watson now.

5.20.03 - There are rumors of a D'ni survivor going around here. The DRC is keeping it lo-key but it seems pretty reliable. Obviously, I'll be the last to hear but I've got to find a way to meet him as soon as possible.

6.25.03 - Funny. Seems like a lot less people are in the city nowadays. DRC is talking quite a bit about visitors' access to Ages that they have not approved. They are a little irritated to say the least, and trying to figure out a way they can control it. I don't think they can. Interesting.

Finally got the gun up and working. Laxman is getting better every day. The guy is a genius. Watson stopped by as well to see it working although he seemed more concerned with me cleaning up the scrap than the gun itself. Typical DRC.

7.18.03 – Out of the blue, Sonya Michaels has contacted me. Old friend from the surface working for some paper up in Maine. Says she is coming down for a long period. Wants to write.

On a more typical note, Watson came by a few days ago asking me to name the wildlife here. They aren’t finding the names the D’ni used for a lot of the animals. I don’t think he really appreciated “Shroomie” and “Flappers”. Anyway I named the birds here “Buggaros”. I think some part of that is D’ni for big – that’s what Nick said at least. Big bug. Wonder how they’ll like that?

9.22.03 – Just returned from a short surface trip. Went to last week’s Patriot game in Philadelphia. Excellent game. What they needed after that miserable performance in first week. And another win yesterday. Travis managed to meet me in Philadelphia and brought little Travis down with him. It was good to see them both.

Sonya seems to like it down here. In fact, it looks as though she’ll be staying for a while – longer than she had thought – and may be working for the DRC in a similar role as Simpson. Fine with me. Another inside scoop never hurts.

I’m going to try and get a pub down here. DRC has apparently made long-term plans to open up a new section of the city and there is a spot I’d love to have as my own. Time to start being nice again and see if I can get it.

10.29.03 – It looks like this is actually going to happen. Major Preparations are underway to open the place up. The arguments for not doing it have been pushed under for now, and it’s going to happen. When the hordes come, I’ve got to get out and meet them – talk to them. It’s an opportunity to establish myself I won’t have later.

The pub is looking good. Very good. DRC has no idea the Books were ever there (good work Nick) and it looks as though they are going to let me have it. I’d love to turn it into something to show off my favorite trophies. Wouldn’t be bad to open it up for others as well. Have to think about that more.

Can’t get to a game right now and it’s killing me. Too much going on down here. But, I will be there for the playoffs. Talked to Travis today and we’re going wherever it is, although at this point I’m planning on Boston.

10.30.03 – It’s official. The pub in J’Taeri is mine. Time to celebrate. Time to prove Kodama wrong.

11.24.03 – People are coming down from all over and I have to say they are good people. Smart people. See right through the DRC and their games. At least most of them do. Definitely will be sides at some point. A few of the visitors in particular have impressed me. Dusante, Tweek, Lucas, and others. Need to start writing down names. Don’t want to forget them.

Engberg has been odd lately. I’ve heard it from many of the visitors and seen it myself as well. Pressure must be getting to him. Little does he know it’s only making the DRC look worse.

Patriots win again. No surprise anymore. Bad time to be stuck down here but these are critical times. Can’t go to the surface now.

11.25.03 – This could be going very well. Spoke with a Brian Fioca and Duskrin D’tahree (strange name) tonight. I could see them as eventual leaders. Engberg is whining again. Not good. They’ve called a meeting. This better not mean the pub is gone.

11.26.03 – Excellent talk with Brian tonight. Good man.

11.28.03 – What is it with this Phil character? The man is disturbing yet intriguing. I was able to talk to him last night for a while in Kemo. He’s probably just crazy but if they will listen to him he could be very useful. More people need to hear him. He’s agreed to meet with me again. This could be just what I needed.

12.01.03 – Sounds like it may have been one of the best games all year. I may not have a choice but to make a surface trip for the Jaguar game on my birthday. Have to see how things are progressing down here.

DRC is obviously aware of Phil, as they should be. I have to say I’m happy to have the distraction. I haven’t heard anything about Engberg’s call for a meeting recently. Good timing.

12.08.03 – Phil what perfect timing. The things he showed me this weekend are beyond anything I could have expected. I may have bought into the DRC propaganda myself. Not again. The DRC knows so little of the power of D’ni. It’s almost funny Yeesha is the key. With her, there is strength. It’s either Yeesha or the DRC. That needs to be the message and Phil will help me in speaking it. They will listen to him.

12.15.03 – Didn’t think I would be able to forget about what was happening down here, but sitting in the snow, watching Poole run that interception back. This team is as good as I’ve seen them. I can’t wait for the playoffs.

Being back on the surface cemented by decision. I’ll be coming back for Christmas. In the meantime, I think I’m going to cut down a tree on my Relto and decorate it for the office here.

Need to find Phil today. Haven’t met with him in a while and that’s never good, even if the game was worth it.

12.15.03 – They’ve gone too far this time. The nerve of these people. The war has started. They can not simply take Phil away with no reason and not expect consequences.

12.19.03 – I have given them consequences and now it seems they will give me a taste of my own medicine. Kodama seems to have started the ball rolling. I fully expected this sort of reaction. I just hope I have enough people on my side when I need them.

12.28.03 – What a holiday. Though things down here are a complete mess, at least the surface is going well. Patriots won again. Was able to spend time with Megan, Sean and Brian – took him to the game, although down here it seems as though my credibility and respect has taken a downturn.

Phil has apparently been killed, or at least that is what the DRC are saying. I’m not sure whether to believe them or not, but the evidence is not good. I’ve seen the pile myself. Watson has left for the surface, too upset to stay. Laxman and Kadama are taking a role. The city has been closed again. I’m losing my fight for the whole mess. It’s too much and people here seem to care little. It might not be worth it.

Playoffs in two weeks. At least I have that to look forward to.

12.31.03 – It has been quite a year, especially recently. I have to say I never planned things to go this way, although looking back it may be for the best. Watson has left. Somewhere. Laxman and Kodama seem to be running things, for the moment, is definitely good. At least they are moving somewhere. Though I may not always agree with them, I like their drive. I’m thinking about giving it a little more time and seeing if I can’t get my pub back.

I’ve been keeping quiet lately on purpose, letting things run their course. I may have become a little too aggressive and I don’t think I was helping myself. We’ll see if I can do things better this year.

Still planning on heading up to the surface next week. Make the playoff trip a little longer than just the weekend.

Though this baby isn’t quite full, it seems a good time to start a new journal. So this is it. My last entry for this book 6 years in the making. Hard to believe.

KI notebook

Found in Gahreesen.

The KI

Base Functions – D’ni #3 on the back side of all of these devices... 3 functions? There’s certainly more than that. 3 core functions? In any case, it’s a convenient name: KI.

1. Nexus Interface – the Nexus seems to be just an interpreter for KI data. KI’s allow users to provide or decline Book access to other KI’s. I think we can make this work for neighborhoods as well. Age names defined in the KI appear in the Nexus. Or should...

2. Interpersonal Communication – Obviously the most important function: voice or text communication to other KI users. Inter- or Intra-Age doesn’t seem to matter.

3. Image Capture, Storage & Transfer – A single button-press captures an image and stores it within an appropriate Age directory. Images can be sent to other KI’s as well as uploaded to some imagers (depending on versions). Seems main servers coordinated this functionality – might be tough to revive.

4. Journal Entry, Storage & Transfer – fairly simple. Write notes and store them. Again server handles transfer journal... KI-to-KI or KI-to-imager.

5. Markers – the ability to drop and collect markers at the operator’s present location in an Age. Layers of functionality here – requires more research. Perhaps this feature could be tapped to help with the GZ problem - interesting.

6. Doors – In this Age, the KI (even at its most basic level) opened Level 1 doors. Level 2 and 3 doors requite higher versions.

There is much more variety to these devices then we first suspected. The “dispenser” is capable of handing out at least five versions and possibly more. Feature set varies widely. There must have been a system to control and track these devices... where?

Imager built into the unit is surprisingly compact and efficient. Uses the same blasted “lattice” compression system for lack of a better word... have to crack that. Powerful projection for something that fits on the top of a hand.

Markers

Purpose: Perhaps a training tool for Maintainers. Markers could be set up and recruits and/or lower ranks run through the “course”.

Interface: KI’s interact with markers in 3 ways.

“Team Capture” – once all the markers are placed, there are two teams that can collect markers. The KI registers the marker to the respective team. Markers can vanish after a time limit or after all have been registered. Markers must be in the same Age. Test: Can markers be reset?

“Hold” – again two teams. Markers only vanish after a pre-set time limit has expired. Markers do not disappear upon being activated although server keeps track of what team is “holding” it. Server summarizes team holding most markers at the end of the time limit. Markers must be in same Age.

“Single Capture” – only one individual KI can register markers. Markers also carry text. Entire marker set can be sent via KI to another KI anywhere in the system. Markers can be placed in any Age.

Markers themselves seem identical to those produced by the Great Zero. In fact, I’m positive the same technology is being used, if not the Great Zero itself. It’s possible the KI’s are communicating with the Zero itself and writing these marks anywhere they are registered. Problems with that theory maintainer markers, etc...

KI Registration

KI tracks of other KI’s on 3 levels:

Intra-Age: Any other KI within the Age is logged and displayed.

KI-to-KI: Any individual KI can be registered for specific tracking. As a result, no matter where that KI is journals, photos, etc can be sent and communication can occur. Perhaps this was used for temporary or semi-permanent team missions. For our purpose – a ‘friend’s list?’

Groups: The KI also recognizes groups, somehow related to the Nexus. Seem possible, if properly configured, to support Neighborhood lists with this function.

Gahreesen notebook

Found in Gahreesen.

Analysis

Author: Simpson (transcribed from voice recorder)

Age: Gahreesen

Date: 11/12/2001-06/04/02 Multiple trips

Okay, one things seems immediately obvious; this place was built for security. No one could write a link anywhere in this place, or the next. It was obviously a Maintainer facility of some kind and it doesn’t seem that it was for general Guild Members. By that, I mean it was limited to at least the higher-ranking members.

As to how they got the first link written here I don’t know. Probably while it was under construction. It does see pretty obvious that it’s not going to happen again, unless something major happens to this place.

I should say that Kodama has some theories about the Age that have held up so far. May have been a “special forces” of a sort for the Maintainers. Started later, mid-8000. Became somewhat of a research and development arm for the Maintainer’s Guild. I don’t know, worth mentioning though. There are quite a few mentions of such groups in other docs Kodama has found, or at least seen.

Entrance

To begin with, I’d wager that no one other than a high-ranking government official or similar ever even made it to this room. That’s just my guess but it seems pretty sound. I don’t think any school buddies or girlfriends dropped by to see their maintainer friend. The linking book we found was deep within the Maintainer Guild I’m sure it was well guarded in it’s day.

You can see right off the bat the entrance was extremely secure. Thick walls, one door, a high window (sniper, maybe). If you manage to get in with a bomb or something, it’s not going to do and noticeable damage.

I love the Maintainer symbol on the floor and everywhere else you look. As though I might forget and wonder where I am.

Waiting Room

So, visitors are escorted into this little waiting room. There’s a window on one side looks almost like a ticket window. Maybe turn in weapons or goods that aren’t allowed. Maybe books. I’m sure they didn’t want books in here.

Yeah, looks like mainly for books. There is another ticket window on the other side although this one looks different. I’m pretty sure those are beetle cages on the other side Beetles that sought out ink. Somebody was just telling me there are all kinds of references to them in other docs. You didn’t make it past this room with a book.

As well the doors never open at the same time. So, even if somehow you make it out of the entrance room, you’re still not going to make it past these mammoth doors out of the waiting area.

Halls

Looks like the hall ran along the entire circumference of the building. There are plenty of rooms; I’ll just try to hit them one at a time. First, is an elevator though. However looks like it’s only down. Wonder if it was always that way? More security I guess. Once you’ve made it into the halls, there is still nowhere to go, at least if they didn’t want you going anywhere.

Lockers

I would think that any books that were brought to the Age were kept in lockers. I’d imagine that some of the workers here or frequent visitors also kept some equipment, but I could be wrong on that. Looks like they kept some maintainer gear as well; markers, helmets, etc... Seems a little out of place, honestly.

KI’s

OK, thing are becoming a little more clear now. Just had a long chat with Laxman and researched some different docs over in the city that Nick had. Looks like the current condition I’m seeing was not the original condition.

The KI was a major development not just for the Guild, but also apparently for all citizens. Turns out they were just starting to hand out the KI’s to the public around the time of the fall. Nice timing.

So it looks like they have done some renovations in order to facilitate the mass amount of visitors that would be coming in order retrieve KI’s. Turns out my little girlfriend analogy was pretty much completely wrong. Girlfriends and more were going to start coming here, at least to the open sections. Kodama corrected me; we’ve actually found multiple books in the neighborhoods, as well as the guarded Maintainer Book I mentioned earlier. Whoops.

So, visitors come in, walk through the doors, beetles check for books, and they walk down the hall into the KI room. Get a KI and link out. Guards were probably at the up elevator, which is just behind this room. If they did happen to bring any illegal items, they get them back from the other side of the locker room and off they go back home with their new shiny KI.

Makes more sense as to why the Maintainer paraphernalia was in the locker rooms too. Probably a little display type thing for all the visitors. Impress them.

Warehouse

Quite a bit of goodies in here, all of which I’m sure most visitors never saw. Pretty bad cave-in from the floor above, although Engberg says structurally the place is alright. He’s doing more detailed inspections soon.

Looks like most of these crates are filled with KI maintenance-type equipment as well as a variety of spare parts, etc... I don’t know Laxman will have to give this place a good inspection. I’m sure he’ll love going through it all, Beyond me, I know that.

Beetle Cages

Convenient cave-in. Not sure how on is supposed to get in the beetle cages without it. No idea how they did it. Link, maybe. Regardless, pretty positive the cages were for beetles. Symbols on the front and quite a bit of remnants in some of the dirtier cages. We’ll have to clean those up. Wonder when they all died.

Speaking of access, another question. How’d they get to the second floor? Elevators skip the middle floor. More security, I suppose.

Second Floor

Destruction was a little more substantial that I thought. Looks like it tore out a section of the outer wall even. I’m going to get out of here until Engberg can come back again.

Been a few days, but I’m back. I’m no expert so I guess I have to trust Engberg. But... He says this whole thing is one of the most solid heavy pieces of construction he’s ever seen. It’s safe, he assures me. If I die here, and someone retrieves this recording, please sue him for me.

Second floor looks similar to the first; outer hall and a number of rooms. Have to remember that very few people probably ever walked these halls. There is no access via elevators, stairs, anything to get here. I assume it had to be done via a Linking Book which is probably somewhere in the city. I suppose there could be a way to stop those elevators on the middle floor but I doubt it. Regardless, this floor was extremely secure; book access only I’m guessing.

Guard Lounge

Next to the observation room – at least that’s what I assume it was – is what looks like a guard lounge. Looks like they stayed here for long amounts of time. There are beds in here as well couches. I assume these guys manned the window/observation post while visitor were coming in.

Guard Lockers

More lockers, similar to the set downstairs although these are manned with heavy equipment. I’m sure Watson will want to see this stuff and keep it locked up well. In fact I’m not even going to go into detail about it here. Laxman can write about this stuff in a later report. I will say I didn’t know the D’ni had these kinds of technology.

Gear Room

Now I see why this floor was so secure. Looks like the whole power structure for this building is here. Amazing construction. The entire building looks to have been powered by some underground water source that caused it to turn. They implemented a gear that would grab on to teeth in the ground outside, and provide them a power source as well. Talk about killing two giant birds with one stone. Pretty amazing.

Power looks somewhat complicated. Seems as though there were at least occasions that power was turned off, as there are obviously controls to do that, and then start it again. I’m heading to the top.

Top

Wow. I though this building was big. The main portion is absolutely giant. And rotating too of course. I’m overcome with the amount of work put in to this place just for security. It’s everywhere. Almost comical picturing government officials walking the same paths I am. Amazing.

To get to the other side, looks like one had to walk across the bridge to the rock pinnacle. The first place since we’ve arrived we’re able to save a link. And it’s not big. And there’s a massive structure facing you if you did. Pretty funny to try and picture any army invading. All of them bunched up on this stone waiting for these bridges to rotate—What the? My gosh...

The creatures. These things are something out of a horror movie. I’ve been up here a little while and I don’t see them often but when I do they are scaring me to death. I’m beginning to understand the fences and structures a little better. Perhaps some of them were designed to keep creatures out more than keep visitors in. Don’t hang out in these woods, unless you have a big gun.

Another bridge, to reach the main portion of this place. More security. I will say that the platform between the bridges seems to have eroded. At one time, crossing the bridges was probably a security feature to ensure manageable groups would approach the larger building, one at a time but I would wager it was still a lot easier than it is now. The erosion to the platform between the bridges has made it a little rougher. I suppose the Maintainers would like it even more in its current condition.

Mud Rooms

I’m not sure what to call these things, but they remind me of mud rooms so I’ll call them that. Not much here. Looks like each bridge has a mud room attached to it, with another group of doors, etc... There doesn’t seem to be any kind of decompression or decontamination that went on here. Really they seem to be nothing more than another spot for another set of doors. Another secure location.

Training Center

I was going to go through each of the rooms here, but after making a quick overview, I think I’ll just start with the entire thing.

There are three types of rooms in the building two of each kind. There is a control room, one purple and one yellow, a display room, one purple and one yellow, and then a conference room. Though these aren’t colored, I assume there is one for each “team”.

The entire building seems to be centered on the massive wall in the middle. The control rooms control the wall, the display rooms display the uniforms that were worn in the wall (I presume) and the conference rooms, allow the government visitors and high-ranking officials to confer about those training on the wall. See.

So control rooms first.

Control Rooms

I’m not going to go into controls for the wall in this doc. I’ll let Laxman do that at some other time. Regardless, the panel here obviously controls the wall. The wall was used for training as well as testing of various suits. I believe the central room can get pretty hot, cold, smoky, or anything else I can imagine, pretty quick. It was a competition – whoever could get to the top the quickest. Teams would set up the obstacles and members would race.

There is a side tunnel that provides access to the display rooms from the control rooms.

Display Rooms

Not sure that these were originally display rooms – or maybe they were. Either way, there are quite a few old Maintainer suits in here. There is also the latest maintainer suit (or skin) here. I guess I should say the machine to put on the latest Maintainer suit is in here.

Now that we’ve had some time to look a this it’s incredible. We’re talking about a suit that was skin tight, and had linking abilities etc... built in. Very hi-tech as far as maintainer suits go. Very impressive. A Maintainer would fall down the chute and while “traveling” to the interior room/the wall, the suit would be placed on him. I’m begging to try this thing but DRC is insistent no one does. Laxman already has someone on it, trying to figure out more. I’m first when they do.

I think these rooms could basically be described as team locker rooms.

Conference Rooms

Well I guess these rooms were where the bigwigs sat down and talked about their Maintainers. Obviously they are set-up to watch the wall and there are displays that show the patterns being built, and “played” on the wall. We’ll never know but I can see the Guild Masters in here watching their men compete, preparing to send them out to some radioactive fireball Age to see if their new suits can stand the elements.

Upper Portions

I’m not going up now but we do know the upper portions were used as prison cells. Typical D’ni technology – they had a single Linking Book that went to all the cells. Since the building was always rotating, a very complicated linking apparatus and timing mechanism was associated with the Book. The timing of the link would determine which cell the person linked into. Apparently, it was very tight.

Speaking of linking. This entire building is rotating as well. It seem that most visitors came the path from the well, although there were also books directly to this building. There had to be. It seems that many of them also used the timing mechanism to link into specific rooms. Looks like another new feature designed and built by these guys. One of many I’m sure.

I’m just wondering where the main research labs were? Or better yet, where did everyone sleep or eat?

Gahreesen Training Wall notebook

Found in Gahreesen.

The Gahreesen Training Wall

Author: Simpson (transcribed from voice recorder)

Age: Gahreesen

Date: 4/22/2003-11/26/03 Multiple trips

This document is supposed to detail how "The Wall" worked. So here goes.

SUMMARY:

Should probably start with the point of this thing, as we best understand it. It seems the idea was simple; each team created a maze. The first team/person to get to the top of the maze won the competition, or training, or whatever they called it.

We're pretty confident it was originally used by Maintainers to improve their physical and mental conditioning. While climbing the structure was the main task, it was made much more difficult by adding fogs, rain, noxious fumes, fire, and extreme heat, extreme cold, and I suppose whatever else they could throw in there. I think that means it's a pretty air-tight room in there. Even so, I'm assuming we won't be turning on the "unleash hell" component to the control panels anytime soon[.] At least don't while I'm around.

Definitely played by two different sides. It's not clear how many were on each side but it doesn't seem to matter. Each team created a maze for the opposite team in each Control Room.

MAZE CREATION:

Red button at the top engaged the control panel. Once engaged, the nice little red lights started flashing and teams needed to determine how many blockers they would be working with.

Three buttons on the left side of the panel were quick jumps to preset numbers of blockers: bottom button is a quick jump to five, the middle button ten, and the top fifteen. Purple (they look pink to me) lights, up at the top represent how many blockers have been selected for the purple team and yellow for the yellow team. Blockers can be raised or lowered by ones with the buttons on the right side. If a team wanted seventeen blockers, they would press the top left button once and the top right button twice. Yeah, I've definitely seen more intuitive panels in my life.

Regardless, once either side pressed the middle button on the right side, the number was locked on both machines. There was no turning back, at least in regards to how many blockers were going to be used for the game. Those little lights stop flashing and the purple/yellow lights go blank.

Setting up blockers was fairly easy: press the section of the grid where a blocker should appear and it appears. Magic. A light at the top also appears for each blocker. Once the maze has been set, the red button is pressed and the maze is locked in and transferred to the wall. After both sides had set up their mazes, I'm sure someone would say "let the game begin". They just had to.

THE SUITS

The "Suit Machine", as I like to call it (very clever I know), raises once both mazes are set[.] Competitors step into the machine, it lowers over the person and wham - drop through the hole and find yourself at the bottom of the wall wearing a piece of high-tech D'ni gear. Very cool stuff, if I say so myself. it does feel a little weird though.

THE CLIMB

Both sides are racing to the top, trying to avoid the blockers that have been set for them by their enemy. Those blockers can not be seen but they will knock someone off the wall if hit. So, it's a "try to get in the head of your opponent and hope you don't get knocked off" game. And if you do get knocked off, better remember where it was so you don't hit it next time. And remember, while the flames are coming at you and your sweating inside of your suit[.] And do it as fast as you can. Yeah, I'd say it trained them pretty well.

WINNER

Once somebody got to the top, the suit, and some kind of panel in the wall (we assume) initiated a link. Bam, the Maintainer found themselves in the Maintainer Nexus. Yahoo winner. Once there, Maintainer raised his arms in the air and cheered to himself and linked back to the Control Room for game number two (That's how I picture it.) It's worth noting that the Nexus removed the suit from the Maintainers as well. We don't know how really but we know it does. Since we're admitting what we don't know: that link through the wall and suit thing is somewhat of a mystery.

Once one side reached the top, the mazes were displayed on the wall for the poor guy still trying to find his way to the top. At the same time, it looks like those patterns were displayed in observations rooms and the Maintainer Nexus displays as well. Loser needed to work his way to the top, use the same link as the winner, get rid of the suit, and start on game two. Maybe get chewed out by his superiors first. Who knows?

Shomat story notebook

Found in Eder Kemo.

The story of Shomat – taken from one book 43C. (We have yet to name it.)

Translation – Nick

FIRST DRAFT

At the age of 121, Shomat had resided in the Palace of the Kings for twenty years. Though the palace had taken forty-five years to construct and new additions(?) had been added every year, Shomat was still not pleased with all that surrounded him. His palace was larger than any structure in the city, and the gardens of his palace were more beautiful than any other living plants that the people had ever known. But Shomat demanded more from those who created his home and his gardens.

Shomat sent messengers demanding that Lemash, the head (this word seems to define some kind of leader of the servants – although they never defined them as servants. Have to ask Dr. Watson) of his palace come to his gardens immediately. And Lemash obeyed.

Yes, my King, what is it that you require of me?

Do you see these bulbs of orange and leaves of brown that surround me?

Of course, my King. They are unlike any that dwell in this cavern.

Do you see the intricate stone that surrounds me? asked Shomat.

Of course, again there is none like them in the cavern.

And Shomat suddenly became angry, cursing at his servants (not really servants but I’ll hace to do) and screaming at those in his presence.

Who do you think I am? Do you think I have never used the Books to see the beauty that lies outside this cavern? I have written these Books myself, even while you have seen me trained by the Grand Master! And yet you act as though I should be pleased at the beauty that now surrounds me. Beauty that comes only from this cavern this cavern of no light, no warmth, and no color? Do you think stone and darkness are all that I require? Who do you think that I am?

My King, what is it that you ask of me?

Bring to me Grand Master Kenri. Together you will work(work in a writing sense?) with him and create for me real beauty. Roaring water. Colors beyond imagination. Living creations, not stone! These are the gardens I demand! Now go and bring them to me.

And so Lemash went to Kenri Grand Master of the Guild of Writers, and together they created an Age whose beauty was beyond that which any man had seen before. And together they brought they’re King to the Age eight months (these are D’ni months) after his request had been made.

Shomat was pleased with all that he saw. Broad leaves green and yellow, flowers of every color, roaring waters of blue and turquoise like the most colorful stones of D’ni. And he promoted Lemash (as he was already head, I’m not sure about his promotion but the word is fairly clear) and made Kenri is most prized Grand Master in all of D’ni. Shomat spent every day on his new Age and he asked for more of them and he asked his architects to provide structures on these Ages.

And while this happened Shomat’s brothers continued to grow more jealous and their anger turned to rage. They had not been invited to live in the palace of their brother and now though multitudes of common citizens were invited to the gardens of Shomat, never once were they allowed to visit. And their hearts burned towards their King and brother.

So it was that Shomat was sitting alone in his Garden Age when two creatures approached him. Though they resembled men, they walked on their arms and legs and moved quickly. Shomat was frightened upon seeing the creatures and immediately called for his guards. The creatures ran from the guards but Shomat ordered his guards to follow them and the guards obeyed. It was not until the next day that they returned. They claimed they had seen a city with hundreds of these creatures living in it conversing with one another, and organizing armies. These armies lived inside of the Garden Age of Shomat. And Shomat was very afraid.

Shomat ordered the men who had seen the village to be put in prison (not sure if Book or physical prison) for what they saw. And he called his most trusted advisor(?) Lemash to his residence in the city. Upon hearing of the creatures and their organization. Lemash too was frightened.

We have no choice but to burn the Book, Lemash recommended. You know this Age is not ours, if it is already inhabited. You know the rules of our Writing, and of our Books and of our people.

But Shomat’s heart was not moved by the words of Lemash and he grew more angry and enraged. The world was created by me, for me. If there are others who exist, they will have to be killed. It is D’ni now.

So Shomat ordered for his brothers to be brought into his palace and he informed them of his dilemma. Shomat asked his brothers if they would kill those who lived on his Garden Ages and he bribed with talk of power and authority. And so they agreed even though they hated their brother.

And the brothers of Shomat traveled to the Age, and went to the creatures to destroy them. But in talking to the creatures they became convinced that the creatures should not be killed but instead they should be used to destroy their brother And so they devised a plan to kill their brother, the King.

While Shomat waited in his palace in the city his brothers appeared to him.

We have finished, they announced. The creatures are all dead.

Shomat was pleased to hear such words from his brothers and on the outside showed love to them. My brothers, I have done much wrong to you. There have been many times I have not treated you like even those who work in my palace And I am sorry for these actions. But today you have proven that you do not hold anger like I do. You are better than me. You have shown me favor and so I ask you to accept what I have to offer you. Please accept this gift.

And Shomat gave his brothers a Linking Book. It’s pages were filled with descriptions of beauty and life, like Shomat’s own Garden Age.

And it will be kept here in this palace where you will live now.

Filled with pleasure, and forgetting their hate for Shomat, his brothers went to the Age quickly. And it was there that they died thinking that they had fooled their own brother. Shomat burned the Book in his own fire, forever erasing his brothers and their deceit from his mind.

And Shomat ordered the Grand Master to change his Garden Age so that those who lived there would die. And Kenri obeyed the King even though he knew it was wrong. And his life was filled with turmoil until he died.

But Shomat, though he did what was wrong, continued to live and pursue all that he wanted.

The story continues but it seemed a good point to stop. I’d like to go over this a few more times with some better translators – maybe even Dr Watson. I filled in a lot of the words as best I could for now.

King Ri'neref notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Ri'neref

Ri'neref was born in 207 BE (Before Earth) on Garternay. He was accepted into the Guild of Writers at the age of five (a standard age) and, as the years passed quickly became one of the finest Writers that the Ronay had ever seen. Certain records go as far as stating that Ri'neref was unsurpassed in skill *by any other Writer of the day.

By the time he was 90, Ri'neref had achieved the rank of Guild Master and was well on his way to become the Grand Master. However, due to personal convictions, he never achieved that rank.

Ri'neref had long been a challenger of the views of the Guild of Writers, as well as the King himself. Ri'neref was apparently very concerned with the society's views pertaining to the purpose of writing and the challenge of acting responsibly with the great gift given to us by Yahvo *.

Around 73 BE, Ri'neref was asked by the Grand Master to write a Descriptive Book to a questionable Age at least in the eyes of Ri'neref. He perceived the Age being used to house an uncivilized race that could be used for the purposes of the Ronay. Thus, Ri'neref refused to carry out the command from his Grand Master and after debating, was apparently dismissed from the Guild of Writers. Some records do point to Ri'neref willfully excusing himself from the Guild, although regardless of how he left much of the society found the dismissal unfair and some even went so far as to call it detrimental to society *.

Around 59 BE, the fact that Garternay would not be able to serve the Ronay as a home for much longer* was confirmed and the information made public. Ri'neref had long known of the state of Garternay and from the time of his dismissal had apparently been working on an Age that he felt would be a good place to live for those who wished to follow him.

According to various journals, Ri'neref managed to attract a few thousand Ronay and convince them to follow him in the ways that he felt important and to the Age that he had written. The King allowed Ri'neref to split away from the Ronay along with a few other smaller groups, while the majority of Ronay left Garternay to a new home world called Terahnee Ri'neref took his group to Earth, where he established the D'ni (meaning New Beginning).

Ri'neref was a strong leader, immediately establishing himself as King and reigning for 120 years until his death. Obviously those who followed Ri'neref to D'ni already respected him enough to separate themselves from their family and friends and thus, records point to very few debates or disagreements within the society under the reign of Ri'neref.

As had always been the case with the Ronay, a group of surveyors was sent to D'ni before the group officially moved there, to establish the Great Zero* and the line emanating from it. A monument was built on the Great Zero in the year 0 DE.

Unlike, previous occasions, Ri'neref established the line of the Great Zero as set apart for holy buildings. Without authorization by the reigning King construction was forbidden.

Though it's never stated directly, records strongly imply that it was Ri'neref who chose where the city would be established. He seemed to base his decision on two factors (which probably made the decision an easy one). First was the line of the Great Zero. It seemed an obvious spot to base the city, with the most important religious structures being directly on the line and the rest of the city surrounding its center. The second factor was a group of waterfalls that flowed from the ceiling of the cavern to an area adjacent to the line of the Great Zero. The fresh flowing water was perfect for drinking.

A new Writer's Guild (with fairly different rules than the one that had existed on Garternay) was constructed almost immediately (8 DE) under the direction of Ri'neref. By the year 100 DE Ri'neref had directed the re-creation of the 18 Major Guilds*. The Guilds were dedicated to Yahvo on The Day of the Circle, a celebration not only of the completion of the Major Guilds, but a celebration of New Guilds, which Re'neref believed were healthier than those that existed in Garternay.

Guilds that have been established to please Yahvo and not themselves Ri'neref said*. Certain records point to the Guilds on Garternay becoming extremely competitive with one another and focusing more upon having the best facility than carrying out their duty to Yahvo and the people. In an effort to curb that kind of competition, Ri'neref implemented a list of restrictions upon Guild construction. The restrictions included guidelines pertaining to placement (facing the Great Zero), size shape, and minor visual guidelines.

Though one of Ri'neref's top priorities was construction of a Temple, there were disagreements as to specifics, causing numerous delays in the finalization of construction plans. Eventually construction was started in 48 DE and the Temple was completed in 63 DE. Known as the Regeltovokum, the Temple to Yahvo was meant as a place of worship as well as a reminder of the prophesied Great King who would come to them soon*.

Ri'neref also made it a priority to install massive fans that would supply the cavern with fresh air. Natural openings existed but it was quickly discovered that they did not supply ample circulation for the cavern. As a result, massive shafts and fans were built and installed over a thirty-year period between 84 and 114 DE. It should be noted that numerous records point to a small group of D'ni disappearing upon completion of the fans. It is most often assumed that they remained on the surface of Earth to live.

Throughout his reign, records point to multiple occasions on which Re'neref refused to build a palace for himself. Instead, he lived in a fairly basic home similar in fashion to most of his fellow citizens and made it especially clear that until Yahvo had a new home, he could allow himself one. Although, even after the Temple was completed, Ri'neref refused to build a palace, always focusing more on the religious and government sites. Ri'neref's own philosophy centered on the fact that it was much easier to focus on Yahvo and his wishes when circumstances were difficult and struggles more abundant. It was strongly believed that Ri'neref's refusal to build a palace was an expression of that philosophy.

In 120 DE, Ri'neref died of apparent heart complications. He was 327 years old. Though he had married, he left no children. As a result, he chose one of his apprentices, named Ailesh, to succeed him.

* Taken from the Memoirs of Ailesh

* From the Oath of the New Guild of Writers written by Ri'neref

* Taken from the journals of Grand Master Najun of the Guild of Legislators

* Garternay's sun was dying and would eventually cause a rapid decrease in temperature making it an inhabitable Age

* The Great Zero itself was usually based on a prominent natural landmark within an Age. From the Great Zero a line was drawn, usually toward Magnetic North, to aid in navigation, construction, etc.

* It should be noted that the 18 Major Guilds of D'ni were not necessarily the same as the 18 that had existed on Ronay. In fact, they were probably much different Though there is no information that details the Major Guilds of Ronay, we do know that the Guilds were meant to be flexible and serve the needs of the people in their time

* Taken from a transcript of Ri'neref's speech on the first Day of the Circle

* The prophetical work the Regeltavok of Oorpah, a book Ri'neref believed strongly in, dealt with numerous prophesies of a Great King who would be sent by Yahvo to guide the people

King Ailesh notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Ailesh

Ailesh took the throne in coronation ceremonies in the year 120 DE at the age of 170. Though it seems Ailesh had never been a member of the Writer's Guild on Garternay, he had spent the first fifty years of his life with Ri'neref (after his own dismissal) working on the Book of D'ni. When the D'ni Writer's Guild was formed in the year 8 DE, Re'neref made sure Ailesh was placed in charge as the first Grand Master of the Guild.

As Grand Master, he had worked closely with Ri'neref in the writing of the new Guild of Writers Oath. The Oath which was what every member promised to live by, ended up staying in existence (with few minor changes) until 9400 DE.

Records indicate that Ailesh modeled his life very closely to Ri'neref's. He refused to build himself a palace until a Common Library was opened, as he strongly supported a place where all citizens could have access to Books. Though there was some minor disagreement on minor issues the building was eventually finished in 233 DE. Although, like his mentor, Ailesh still refused to build himself a palace.

The reign of Ailesh was extremely similar to that of Ri'neref. There was still great excitment for the new ideals and laws of D'ni, and thus great support for Ailesh making his reign a smooth one.

Before his third son was born in 256 DE, records indicate that there was a bit of public apprehension over who the next King would be. Ailesh's two eldest sons were fairly rebellious and neither seemed good candidates for the throne, at least in the public's opinion. However as Ailesh's third son grew, it became apparent to the public (although records never give specific reasons) that the boy closely followed his father's ideals. Ailesh must have agreed with public opinion as it was his thrid son who he selected to succeed him.

Ailesh died of natural causes at the age of 350.

King Shomat notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Shomat

Shomat took the throne in the year 300 DE (D'ni Era) at the age of 44. Up to the point of his coronation, he had been a member of the Guild of Writers. He continued his study of the Art through private mentors for a number of years after his coronation. It was the lack of proper Guild instruction that most D'ni historians attribute the distorted views Shomat later took on.

It was an up and down reign, partly due to a tremendous tension that seemed to exist between himself and his older brothers. Both of the brothers, though they had little respect, did everything in their power to make Shomat's reign tumultuous.

One of the first actions Shomat ordered was the construction of a palace. When it was completed in 347 DE, Shomat moved in with his family, although his brothers refused, and maintained their own homes. Such an act was regarded as a tremendous disrespect to a family and only served to widen the gap between Shomat and his brothers.

Furthering tensions not only within Shomat's family but within the culture as well was the lavishness of the palace. Ornate gardens were present inside the physical grounds and garden Ages were written as well, linking from within the palace. Rumors abounded that some of the garden Ages were even wiped of their inhabitants in order to provide Shomat with relaxation. Whether true or not, Shomat often spoke publicly of the need for Ages to serve D'ni. This was a first for the society and a direct contradiction to what the Guilds taught: the D'ni were to serve the Ages.

It seems that eventually the tension became too much. Some say it drove Shomat mad. In 387 DE both his brothers disappeared and were never found again. It was commonly presumed that Shomat wrote a Death Book to which both of his brothers were linked into although it could never be proven.

Regardless, it was one of the first major challenges for the people of D'ni and they reacted quickly. A prophetess was supplied to Shomat in 400 DE in an attempt to guide him in the ways of Yahvo. For the 155 remaining years of his reign, it seems that most people believed Shomat became a better King. The prophetess became an excellent mentor for Shomat and eventually convinced him to choose the son of one of his close friends as the heir to the throne. His own children were admittedly out of control. As it turns out, it was the bloodline of that child that led to the birth of the Great King years later.

Shomat died of natural causes at the age of 299.

* Women were generally seen as much better communicators with Yahvo then men. As a result, most prophets were women.

* The choosing of prophetesses, as guides for the Kings, started with Shomat and became tradition for all the remaining Kings of D'ni. It was usually up to the King as to which prophet or prophetess he would seek for wisdom

King Naygen notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Naygen

Took the throne in 2356 DE at the age of 86. Naygen did much to encourage the growth of the Major Guild of Fine Artists, as well as the seeking of the other "truth." The year 2500 DE 1100 years after the death of the Great King would mark the peak of what some would call "the religious confusion."* There were over 2000 registered sects and the original beliefs of Ri'neref were known by very few. Naygen was clearly not one of them.

It is 2397 DE that most officially marks the start of the D'ni Renaissance. In that year, the Eamis Theatre Company hosted the first play written by the playwright Sirreh. The play dealt with the Pento War and the Great King himself and was one which Naygen praised. It ended up being sold out for three straight weeks and marked not only the start of theatre as a popular entertainment source with the culture, but also the beginning of the Pento War subject, which would go on to become one of the most dealt with topics of their history in their Art.

In 2408 DE, the 33-year-old musician Airem began selling out concert halls marking the beginning of yet another career of one of the great D'ni artists. His music also dealt much with the Great King, many times ridiculing him. Naygen praised his people to being able to express "their true feelings in such wonderful displays of art."*

In 2488 DE, the first successful extrusion tests were carried out by the Guild of Miners, and to great applause from the public. Naygen used the occasion to "benefit everyone." He appointed the Guild of Miners as a Major Guild replacing the Guild of Fine Artists. He then split the Guild of Fine Artists up into the Minor Guilds of Sculptors, Artists, Actors, and Musicians. The split was to encourage growth in mining as well as the arts, two major causes of Naygen throughout his reign. His proposal was strongly supported by Sirreh and Airem, as well as other artists, who viewed it as an excellent opportunity for the growth of their respective fields.

In 2500 DE, Naygen proposed the construction of a new Council chamber for the Guilds. Somewhat surprising was that he suggested it should be build over the tomb of the Great King. The proposal was met with little opposition*, and construction began two years later. In 2502 DE, the tomb of the Great King was barely visible, a tremendous symbol of what D'ni had become.

Later it was discovered that within the Council chamber was a massive vault protected by "puzzles" of a sort. The tomb had always been known for its patterns some of which were claimed to have prophetic messages. Naygen apparently became enamored with the patterns and spread them throughout the unseen portions of the chamber as well as the seen. Though the public knew very little of the vault at the time of construction, years later it was found to contain a tremendous amount of royal wealth, something Naygen often publicly encouraged. Of course, most were not able to save the amounts Naygen did, but still the idea of saving one's money for future generations was strongly encouraged by him.

Naygen died in 2533 DE at the age of 263 leaving the throne to his third son. In memorial to Naygen, Sirreh wrote another of the more popular of his plays entitled "Our Great King." It was the first play performed by the Minor Guild of Actors in 2535 DE.

* Taken from the journal of Tevahr in 3075

* From a speech by Naygen christening the Minor Guild of Musicians

* Though the official Church registered a complaint, it seemed there was little heart behind it. Apparently, even a prophetess of Naygen supported the proposition.

King Demath notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Demath

Took the throne in 4692 DE at the age of 154. Though the public was generally not happy with the reign of Ji, it appears as through they were pleased with his choice of Demath to succeed him*.

Demath had joined the Guild of Maintainers at the age of five (as most did) and risen to the level of Guild Master by the time he was chosen as King. The selection was a surprise to much of the public, and apparently even to Demath himself. It was not a post he had especially desired to have.

Almost immediately, Demath ordered a ban on all unnecessary links (to be enforced by the Maintainers) while the Council carried out emergency meetings trying to decide their stance on the outsiders.

In these meetings the Council concluded that the relations with the outsiders would continue, but with much stricter restrictions and guidelines. The list was long that Demath signed into law and included the restriction of any outsiders operating D'ni machinery or linking Books.

Perhaps more importantly, the Council and King sent a clear message to all of the factions who were against outsider involvement with D'ni their ideas would not be tolerated if they led to any infraction of the rules previously established by Loshemaresh which were to become strictly enforced. And though it was not stated publicly, the Relyimah (meaning the Unseen) was apparently ordered to double its membership and find any and all who were carrying out illegal activities with the outsiders.

As well, Demath denounced the words of the Watcher as pure rubbish and nothing more than a desperately lonely man seeking attention*.

In 4721 DE, Demath pushed an amendment that forced the Major Guilds to accept a percentage of students who passed all entrance exams but could not afford the steep prices*. It was the first such action in the history of D'ni and one that many seemed to question, especially the Guilds themselves. However, Demath was able to convince them it was a necessity for the society and one to which they cautiously agreed*.

In 4724 DE, records point to over ten separate groups being convicted of the Loshemarsh Laws (as they had come to be called). Most agreed that the Relyimah played a large role in the convictions although there are no official records of their involvement. Regardless, each of the convicted was sentenced to solitary confinement on Prison Ages. The convictions must have carried a powerful impact on society, as the public still knew very little of the Relyimah (if anything at all), and thus had no idea how so many convictions were occurring. As one writer said, There were stories of dark shadows and mysterious creatures for those carrying out such activities it was said that the eyes of Demath saw everything while his arms took anyone he wanted. *The crime rate especially pertaining to the Loshemaresh Laws steadily lowered until 4752, when there were only three recorded convictions.

In 4784 DE, an assassination attempt was carried out against Demath resulting in the dealt of two members of the Relyimah, who saved Demath's life in the process. The perpetrators were found and two years later, Demath ordered their execution. It was the first execution of its kind and met with little resistance from the public, or Council. The two men were apparently linked into a death Age permanently ending their lives. Though most agreed with the execution, those who were against outsider involvement to begin with, now felt even stronger in their case. Now, they argued, D'ni is killing itself, for the sake of outsiders.*

In 4826, Demath was rewarded for his efforts pertaining to the acceptance policies of the Major Guilds. The first of the Guild of Stone Masons non-paying members headed the effort to devise early fusion-compounding technology, a building block for the eventual development of Nara. Demath praised the Guild and the numerous opportunities that all citizens of D'ni now had to benefit their society*.

In 4843 at the age of 305, Demath passed away leaving the throne to his first-born son.

* Some argued that Ji didn't make the choice of Demath but that Grand Master Imas of the Guild of Maintainers made it. The matter was never officially settled although most contribute the choice to Ji.

* From Demath's speech, explaining to the people the findings of the Council meetings

* By that time, the Major Guilds had become extremely expensive and a large majority of the population, even if qualified to join the Guilds, had no way to afford it.

* Taken from the private journals of Guild Master Reshan of the Guild of Archivists

* From Revealing the Unseen written by Besharen in 5999

* Goshen, leader of the cult group Blood of Yahvo, made the comment in a public speech.

* The comments were made by Demath at the public announcement of the fusion-compounding technology

King Me'emen notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Me'emen

Took the throne in 5240 DE at the age of 83.

One of the biggest announcements of Me'emen's reign came rather quickly and was offered by the Guild of Miners and Stone Masons (who had worked together). In 5307 they revealed Nara*, as it had been created in a laboratory weeks earlier. Nara offered tremendous opportunities for mining and construction and ended up having a massive impact on future opportunities for D'ni. Even at the time of its release, there was apparently much excitement about its potential.

In 5312 DE, disease broke out in the industrial district of D'ni most likely originating in the Age of Yasefe*. The outbreak caused widespread panic as many predicted another plague similar to what had occurred during the 2100's. Fortunately, the illness was not nearly as lethal as the aforementioned, and the Guild of Healers reacted extraordinarily fast in finding a cure. Regardless, there was again a new push to at least separate the Nehv'eril District* far away from the city proper.

Me'emen apparently liked the idea quite a bit and encouraged the surveyors to begin looking into such an expansion.

In 5359 DE, the Dni received another great reason to begin major expansion and it came in the form of Stone Tooth. It was the second of the Great Diggers and quite a bit more powerful and technologically advanced than the old Stone Eater. Me'emen immediately ordered the Guild of Miners to begin "clearing" an area (along with Stone Eater) for a new industrial district replacing Nehv'eril. It was not until 5475 DE, that actual construction was begun on the new industrial section Uran.

Less than a hundred years later, in 5473 DE, the Guild of Maintainers announced that the newly discovered Deretheni could be used to create much improved, and much more protective, Maintainer suits. Though such an announcement may not seem especially important, the new suits ended up having a great impact on D'ni culture. Since the Maintainers were able to take bigger risks with the types of Ages they could explore, the Guild of Writers were allowed to be a bit more liberal in their writing, and a new breed of Age was begun.*

During Me'emen's reign "Words" became a common topic of discussion and attention was again given to the older temples. Evidence points to numerous remodels and renovations of many of the secular temples that had been built years earlier on the "new" line of the Great Zero.

It seems that Me'emen himself paid little attention to the religious pulse of his people being much more interested in technological advancements and city expansion to care.

Once Me'emen felt that Stone Eater and Stone Tooth were no longer needed, he recommended using them to build an underground tunnel connecting The Island to the city proper, minimizing the need for boat travel. His proposition was not embraced by any means, especially by the upper classes who were living on The Island. Apparently there were a number of protests, for fear of the affect the tunnel could have on The Island. The proposal was also rejected by most of the Guilds, causing Me'emen to not force it.

In 5500 DE, the first imports from other Ages were linked to the new Uran District, much further from the city. Uran was said to be "a tremendous improvement over the older Nehv'eril much more advanced much safer," and there was tremendous celebration on the day of its "opening"*. Security was tight in the new district, as it was revealed later that the Relyimah had uncovered a variety of plots intended to display some of the faction's disagreement with the district.

In 5540 DE, Me'emen's only son became extremely ill and ended up passing away six months later. As a member of the Guild of Healers, Ashem was often among the first to investigate new Ages to make sure of their safety in relation to disease. As a result of his death, the Age was not approved until a cure could be found. Me'emen considered the actions of his son heroic and changed the name of the Uran district to Ashem'en a year after his death.

It was said, that the death left Me'emen "deeply saddened devoid of the excitement he had shown throughout his reign"*. Many said it forced him to the Prophetess Trisari*. Me'emen apparently spent much time with Trisari in his last days and was able to die a content man "because of her"*.

Me'emen died in 5549 DE at the very ripe age of 392 and choose his nephew, probably on recommendation of Trisari to succeed him.

* A metallic gray stone thirty times the density of steel and the hardest of all D'ni stones

* Yasefe was mostly forest and provided D'ni with a good portion of its wood supply including the expensive, and rare, Yema.

* The industrial district was formed during the reign of Needrah and served as an importation center for most outside goods.

* The newer Ages allowed for much more experimentation with atmospheres, animal life, and energy sources.

* From the journal of Grand Master Veshar of the Guild of Stone Miners

* From the journals of the Prophetess Trisari, assigned to King Me'emen

* It should be noted that the prophetesses had been assigned to all of the Kings but, for the most part, had become nothing more than figureheads, rarely consulted

* From "Ashem" written by Ramena in 5589

King Asemlef notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Asemlef

Took the throne in 5999 DE at the age of 54.

Asemlef inherited a people who were philosophically confused (The Watcher vs. Gish Vs. The Great King/Tevahr), but technologically advancing (many great construction, mining, and scientific inventions), expanding within the cavern at a great rate, and moving toward diminishing the involvement of the outsiders within their culture. As well as fighting that had scarred their past was at a minimum*.

Asemlef continued the peaceful trends by attempting to isolate no one, but instead welcoming everyone and any beliefs they might have had.

It seems, he took no stance on any of the religious ideologies being passed around and allowed any and all religious factions equal access to property, government help etc.

While disregarding no beliefs, he was able to hold his own some of which were unknown to D'ni up to that point. Though never stated publicly by Asemlef, common opinion, and historical records, point toward numerous servants being used by Asemlef, most brought from outside Ages. More so were the apparent challenges Asemlef held with these "servants". Details were hard to find, but it seems as though these challenges ranged from hunts, by Asemlef himself, to gladiator style battles between the servants. It should be noted that regardless of what actions occurred, there was little public outcry against them.

Instead of philosophical or religious beliefs, Asemlef instead focused on mining expansion, construction of the new districts and offering equal opportunities of culture and social benefits to all classes. As far as outside involvement, Asemlef publicly argued that the order from his father to all of the Guilds was not realistic and that outside involvement would always be needed to some extent. Knowing the comment would anger some of the factions, he became the first King to publicly invite the more extreme factions (who wanted no outside involvement) to his palace for numerous talks on the issues. Though no decisions were made in the meetings, the meetings themselves apparently calmed the factions and created a better overall feeling that the two could come to a decision in the future.

Around the same time two key Writers from the Writer's Guild left to join the Writer's of Yahvo*. Up to that point the group, who believed it was their duty to write the perfect Age*, had been relatively small.

Like the Writer's of Yahvo, most of the popular factions or cults of the day focused on Yahvo in one way or another. The old cults (such as The Tree and Sacred Stone) had vanished for the most part leaving way to disagreements in the beliefs of Yahvo for the most part.

Asemlef passed away in 6284 DE at the age of 339 leaving the throne to his third (and youngest) son.

* From "The Line of Kerah" written by Fhal in 6985

* Worth mentioning as the Writer's of Yahvo would eventually become one of the three largest sects in all of D'ni

* After the Judgement Age, most of D'ni believed one would either end up in the Perfect Age or Vakooth's Age. Obviously, most wanted to live in the Perfect Age but there were, of course, a variety of beliefs on how that was accomplished

King Kerath notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

King Kerath

Took the throne in 6731 DE at the age of 54. Kerath is probably the most well known name of all the Kings, not because he was necessarily considered the best, but because he was the last. His name came to represent all of the Kings in the later years, including the renaming of the Arch of the Kings to the Arch of Kerath.

His mother had raised him to follow the teachings of Gish and by the time he took the throne he was believed to be a whole-hearted believer in the Followers. Because of that and the experience of watching his father interact with his advisors, Kerath had decided from an early age that a King was no longer the correct way that D'ni should be led. At least, he argued, not until the true Great King would come.

The fact that Kerath, in a single reign, was able to convince his people that the way they had been ruled for thousands of years was wrong and should be changed, should be considered nothing short of miraculous. Kerath carefully crafted his arguments as a benefit for the Guilds more than anything else. After all, he argued "D'ni is the Guilds let us be protected by their fortress and be ruled by their wisdom."

It was hard for the Guilds not to support a proposal that removed the King from the highest authority and replaced with Five Lords; Lords that would be automatically chosen from the Grand Masters of the Guilds. It gave all of the power of D'ni to the Guilds and there were only a few Grand Masters who seemed to disagree. Those few were known as faithful followers of the Great King, and Ri'neref, who had always supported the role of Kings.

Fortunately, for Kerath, though his people believed a variety of different philosophical ideologies, only those who followed the original teachings of Ri'neref and the Great King were disturbed at the thought of no King. And, it was the majority of D'ni who no longer followed those beliefs but instead those of Nemiya, Gish, The Watcher and various others. As a result it was a cultural impact that the public had to overcome and not a religious one*.

Kerath, attempting to further please the Guilds recommended new renovations and additions to the Council Chamber and construction of a new Guild Hall, meant to celebrate the new power that would be there's. A symbol of the new power of the Guilds and Lords and further insult to the Great King, burying his memory even further under government construction.

Construction began in 6970 DE on the new Guild Hall. There was no better symbol of the attitude of the D'ni in 6970 DE. The Tomb of the Great King was further buried under massive buildings dedicated to government and the Guilds.

By the end of his reign, Kerath had convinced a majority of D'ni of his own beliefs. Most claimed to be followers of Gish and his writings, and most viewed the outsiders as a threat. "If not now, then soon," Kerath often said*.

After his death, Kerath's words would be proven true with the onset of the Mee-Dis War. Outside factions would invade with attempts to destroy the Ink-Making and Book-Making Guilds and almost succeed. By the time the war would end, there would be few left who did not follow Gish and thus, believe in the end of most outsider involvement. The discovery that conservative factions had led to the start of the Mee-Dis War would come much later, when it was far too late to alter the conservative trends.

Regardless, in 6977 DE Kerath abdicated the throne and gave over the power of the Kings to the first Five Lords of D'ni History. They were Lord Taeri of the Guild of Messengers, Lord Hemelah of the Guild of Healers, Lord Moleth of the Guild of Caterers, Lord Kedri of the Guild of Writers, and Lord Korenen of the Guild of Analysts. Kerath died eight years later.

The time of the Kings was over.

* Taken from Kerath's public speech in which he first proposed the idea

* From "The First Five" written by Tarvis in 7000

Class System notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

Class Structure

Seems as though my first inclination toward class structure was incorrect. Though early on there was little in the way of a class society, such a high ideal faded quickly. By 9400 DE there were seven very distinct classes.

Elite - The Lords and the Grand Masters of the Major Guilds. It was possible for private citizens to be accepted but if so, abundant resources were needed. It was only the elite who owned private libraries of Books and the private Islands.

Quite a few obvious attempts to reach out and unify the classes although I'm not sure it did much good. Common Libraries, Major Guild scholarships, renovation of poorer districts, all seemed more political than life changing. Not surprising I suppose.

Guild Members - Yes it was possible for the lower classes to attend but it seems by the end the schools were far too expensive and prestigious to allow for such. As a result, the graduates became a class among themselves. And a very high one at that.

Upper Class - The lowest of the three higher classes. Such citizens had succeeded in private enterprise and most likely provide the elite with their banks, pubs, etc. No Major Guild education for the most part, but enough money to buy their way into the upper classes.

Middle Class - Mostly shop-owners and the like. Able to afford some luxuries of D'ni but still considered far from the Elite. Rare but possible for them to own Books as well as Private Ages. Seemed to make up most of the Minor Guild enrollment.

High Poor - The higher class of poor seemed to be made mostly of industrial workers, many of whom spent their time on foreign Ages (before it was outlawed of course). It seems that this class, along with the lower two, did not own Books.

Low Poor - I can't seem to find a better name for them. However, seems clear that there were two classes of poor. These low poor were relegated to their own districts and rarely seen even with the middle class and never with the upper classes. Possibly used as servants although that was generally looked down upon.

Sub-low? - Reference to "the Least" (an undefined sub-class?) are found on rare occasions. Not enough data to elucidate.

Pregnancy notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

Pregnancy

Now this is surprising. I can't say for sure but it seems fairly clear that D'ni women were only fertile for one D'ni "day" every two D'ni "months". In surface terms that's roughly only thirty hours every seventy-two days.

If true, it explains quite a few things. First, why there were so few children for a people who lived three hundred years and secondly the reasons behind the rather large celebrations of pregnancy.

As far as I can tell these celebrations were usually limited to family members although were rather large. There was quite a bit of prayer to Yahvo as well as blessings from the family members. These "blessings" usually included vows to care for the pregnant woman and child through the coming months.

As I have mentioned in other areas, pregnant women were believed to be much more insightful and as a result part of the pregnancy experience (although not part of the official ceremony) was using that insight to gain revelation from Yahvo. Though there was quite a bit of religious meditation expected of women during this time I won't go into it here. However, this meditation was expected to primarily guide the women to her child's future and its purpose and was taken rather seriously.

While pregnancy within marriage was cause for great celebration, the same can not be said of pregnancy outside of marriage. As far as I can tell, any woman who became pregnant was expected to immediately marry and any child conceived out of wedlock was unable to join a Guild for its entire life. As well, no revelation was expected from such a mother. This was as equivalent a curse to a lower class woman as her child would not be able to attend a Guild of the upper class.

As far as I can see, gestation was a full year. Ten D'ni months - 290 D'ni days - equivalent to one Earth year. I have found no records of multiple births.

Maturity notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

Maturity

Similar to a variety of other cultures, the D'ni celebrated a child's entrance into reason and maturity. The D'ni believed that true maturity, or the Age of Reason as they called it was achieved at the age of twenty-five. Before that, the D'ni believed that children's minds and hearts were not properly formed. Up until that time they even went so far as to say it was impossible for a child to truly make a correct decision as they were too easily controlled by other motives. That did not mean that what they did was not right or wrong but the D'ni believed that Yahvo did not hold them accountable for those decisions. Up to that point it was apparently up to the parents to judge and protect and thus, another reason society encouraged couples to only have one child at a time under twenty-five.

In the "ceremony of readiness", the D'ni celebrated a child's entrance into reason and maturity.

At the ceremony, the child was presented with a bracelet of knowledge (also translated "maturity"). I have to admit the translation is somewhat poor and makes it sound like a magical or superstitious item - something it did not sound like to them. In fact, it was a fairly serious item.

The D'ni viewed the bracelet as a sign of accountability The individual, once given the bracelet, was expected to be responsible for his/her actions as he/she had true knowledge of good and evil and the wisdom to make the right choices between both. Associated with the bracelet were certain rights as well as expectations to behave in a more correct manner.

From a religious standpoint, the "ceremony of readiness" signaled accountability to Yahvo as well as fellow D'ni citizens No longer were apparently judged for the actions of their children on a religious level, and no longer was lack of knowledge an excuse to Yahvo. The Maker, they believed, now expected much more from them.

Though the Age of Reason was twenty-five, the D'ni did not consider true wisdom to come until much later. With not nearly the fanfare that the Age of Reason brought, at 125 years of age there was another celebration for reaching the Age of Wisdom. Perhaps most importantly, regarding that status, the D'ni were allowed to become highest ranks of teachers or leaders (Grand Masters or Lords).

The same rules applied to women and no woman under that age of 125 was technically allowed to advise, especially the Kings. As well, it appears that a woman's fertility ended around age 125.

During the time of the Kings, advisors were required for those Kings who were under the age of 125 as the King himself had not achieved the Age of Wisdom. The Great King Ahlsendar was the only King who did not have an official advisor even though he was under the Age of Wisdom for the majority of his reign.

Marriage notebook

Found on a table on the roof of the Dakota building in Ae'gura.

Marriage

Much more than modern cultures, within D'ni culture all citizens were expected to marry. In fact, it was even believed that marriage was an important part of a relationship with Yahvo as it taught and revealed the necessary requirements for such a relationship. Both marriage relationships and the relationship with Yahvo were described by the same D'ni word taygahn. Literally translated the word means "to love with the mind," and implied a deep understanding, respect, and most importantly unselfish love for one another.

Obviously the religious influence on most of D'ni culture was very strong and, as a result, marriage was not something taken lightly. It was considered a lifetime commitment and, for a D'ni who could live to be 300 years old, it obviously was not a decision the D'ni felt should be rushed into and it seems as though it rarely was.

Some records point to rare arranged marriages although for the most part it seems that the decision was up to individuals. Marriage was not permitted before the age of 25 and marriage between blood relatives was strictly forbidden. Though allowed, marriage between the classes was looked down upon. Marriage to other worlders was practically unheard of. I've found certain writings from the 900's going so far as to call the mixing of D'ni blood with outside cultures a travesty, while others wrote such a child (who marries and outsider) was better off dead.

The marriage ceremony itself was not a single day event but one that took over five days. Attendance to those sections of the ceremony to which one was invited was extremely important and it was considered a disgrace to be invited and not attend.

The event usually began with a small ceremony held on the evening before the First Day of the marriage ceremony. The ceremony always took place at the home of the groom (or his parents) and was meant to confirm both the bride and groom's decision to be united to one another in front of their immediate family.

The groom presented his bride-to-be with a gift representing the confirmation of his choice. The acceptance of the gift by the bride-to-be was acknowledgment of her decision. Immediately after her acceptance of the gift the bride-to-be was escorted away with her family and not to be seen by her groom until the Joining Ceremony that would take place on the Fifth Day.

The First Day was meant for the bridge and groom to spend time with their families. As they were starting their own family, their old family would no longer be the highest priority. Thus, the day was set aside to spend time with that original family. Traditionally, the day ended with a large meal as well as speeches and blessings from the parents to the child.

The Second Day was set aside for the bride and groom to spend with friends, both married and unmarried. Traditionally, one of the friends would host a large dinner at the end of the day.

The Third Day was reserved for spending time with the soon to be in-laws. It was on the day that the bride and groom received blessings from their in-laws as well as other members of the family. Again, there was a traditional larger meal at the end of the day marked by speeches from the eventual in-laws and other soon to be family members.

The Fourth Day was meant for the couple to spend time alone with Yahvo individually. Though many apparently viewed the day as a formality, others viewed viewed it as the most significant of all the days. The day was often filled with prayer asking for Yahvo's blessings upon the event as well as a time to understand Yahvo's desires for their new lives together. It was also considered a time to purify themselves before Yahvo. Some chose to spend the time with the priests or prophets, while others read the Holy Books and talked to Yahvo himself.

The Fifth Day was the Day of Joining. The early portion of the day was set aside for physical preparation while the later part of the day was set aside for the Joining Ceremony itself.

For those who did not have access to Private Ages, the ceremony usually took place on "Marriage Ages." For the upper classes, the ceremony took place in Family Ages. All family was expected to attend, as were fellow Guild members.

All of those in attendance were divided into two sides. One side represented the groom while the other represented the bride. Between the two sides, in the center, were a long aisle and a triangular podium. The bride and groom would each approach their side of the podium by walking through their respective family and friends. It was after all, those family and friends who had made the bride and groom what they were, and the D'ni believed, it was those family and friends who should "present" their bride or groom to their spouse. The priestess usually stood on the third side of the podium.

As with most important events, and especially marriage, the bride and groom wore the bracelets they had been given at birth as well as maturity. After the bride and groom arrived to the platform, the father of the bride would remove the bride's bracelets and give them to the groom. The D'ni believed the giving of the bracelets represented the giving of the bride's purity and adulthood to the groom. A short speech often followed the event. The father of the groom would follow the father of the bride with the identical procedure, giving his son to the bride.

The giving of the children was followed by and expression of both parents of their blessings upon those being joined, as well as all of those present. Symbolically, the bride and groom then switched sides to represent of an acceptance of all the brides family and friends of the groom and visa versa. Both the bride and the groom then handed all four bracelets to the priestess.

While the priestess led the couple through their commitments to one another and Yahvo the bride and groom placed their hands upon the podium. During the commitments, the couple made promises to one another followed by promises to Yahvo. All were recited aloud to the priestess.

The priestess usually reminded the couple that marriage was a reminder of taygahn (to know with the mind) and that their love should always be a representation of their love for Yahvo.

Following the commitments, the priest would place two new, larger, bracelets upon the bridge and groom. The groom's was placed upon the left wrist and the bride the right wrist. The new bracelets were meant to represent both the purity and maturity bracelets their spouse had previously worn. the D'ni emphasized that the spouse was now your responsibility to keep pure and knowledgeable of good and evil. The bracelets were meant to be a constant reminder of that responsibility as well as commitment to maintain the best for that spouse.

After the new bracelets were placed upon the wrists, the hands of the bride and groom were wrapped together with a tight cord, covering the wrist and hands completely. Upon completion, the priest placed a ring upon the pinky of the "free" hand. The rings were symbolic reminders of the entire ceremony and placed upon the fifth finger to represent the joining that took place on the fifth day.

The priestess would then usually remove herself from the podium so that the couple could take her place. Together the couple then walked down the aisle between the two "parties" and toward the far end of the aisle where a glass of wine waited for them. Before drinking the couple knelt and prayed together to Yahvo.

After the prayer they each drank from the cup and the two sides of the hall merged into one group, often with great celebration. They were now considered joined and the celebration could begin.

Families usually fed all in attendance and there was typically dancing and music. The couple was expected to keep their hands united throughout the night as a reminder that they were now joined both in the eyes of man and Yahvo. The binding of the hands was apparently meant to be somewhat troublesome symbolizing that there would be difficult times to their relationship but that those times did not affect the fact they were now joined.

Following the celebrations, tradition was for the couple to embrace and the priestess to touch a Linking Book to them so that they would both link to "vacation" or "honeymoon"-type Ages. Though these vacations were usually short, it was not unusual for the man to not work for up to a year in order to build the new marriage.

I should also note that the cord used to join the couple's hands together was also viewed as a sacred item. It seems as though various couples used the cord in a variety of different ways some using them for necklaces and others hanging them in their house.

Douglas Sharper '04 notebook

Found in Ae'gura, Baron's office.

01.23.2004 Though seeing the Patriots go to another Super Bowl (and hopefully win) is obviously on my mind, compared to what I've returned to here in D'ni... What happened? I'm hearing that the DRC is leaving the whole thing behind. Watson is not returning. Kodama, Laxman, Sutherland, all of the little guys, Nick, Simpson... I never saw it coming. Engberg even. They are claiming funds but I wonder if it was something more than that.

I thought I would have a lot to write today, but my mind is going everywhere. I've come to love the place. The offices. The creatures. The people. The game. Even the DRC. I'm stunned. Is it really going to come to an end?

01.26.2004 The disagreement of the past are no longer separating us, obviously. Had a good talk with Kodama and Laxman today. They are disappointed and saddened. Frustrated. Poor Laxman is still working on the KI's. Says he (sic) standardizing KI's and implementing some kind of remote upgrade. Except for that, they are beginning to close things down.

They seem to know what happened to Watson. Apparently he spoke to Kodama, at least once since that day long ago. Neither wanted to go there so I let it go.

Regardless, there was a glint in their eyes. Maybe not too surprising for Laxman, but Kodama? The man never has an ounce of glint. It seems they have a journey they'd like to take.

01.30.2004 Laxman must have seen the light. KI lattice is going down to base features before he heads up.

I'm heading up to the surface myself. Houston for the Super Bowl. Another championship is just what I need right now. I'll be back.

02.05.2004 Champions! Again! Not sure I ould have asked for a better game, regardless of the halftime debacle. I have to admit though, I thought the big victory would be enough, but I still find myself troubled down here.

02.09.2004 2175.58.81. What is it? A coordinate? And why is Zandi sending this thing out? "The gathered will tell the path of the shell?" What?

Spoke with Nick last night. He's already heading up, back to the Northwest somewhere. I'd like to see the kid again someday. Good kid. I'll miss him. I think Fioca has left as well. Another good guy.

02.11.2004 Went to the spy room today and... not quite the same anymore. I missed the intrigue and found myself saddened at the thought of it all going away. No reason to go through the trouble of making the backside secure anymore. Looking back, I realize how lax I was. Anyone could have found the Book. I assumed the backside of Teledan was secure, but it obviously wasn't. Not if they were all seeing Shroomie. And to think, if there had been two of them, all they had to do was close the door and their friend would have seen the Book. I guess none of it matters now. Don't suppose anyone will be going to the slave caves anytime soon. Oh well...

I'm a little ashamed that I'd forgotten about Phil. I suppose the surface trips, football games, and obviously, events down here had caused me to forget about him. His Relto Book was in the spy room. I paid the area a little visit. A memorial of sorts. I assume he is officially dead now, although I should ask the boys.

02.13.2004 My god, I may have killed him. Is this (entry ends)

02.28.2004 There is no life here. Literally and figuratively. They've all gone. And I'm stuck alone with the thought that Phil may have died because of me.

I've talked to a number of the DRC about it. They never found a body but apparently a destroyed KI was found at the bottom of where the precipice once stood. No one wanted to say it but I've had the dream twice now.

Phil standing up there, confident in his ability to return to his Relto at any time. The first crack. Still confident. Enjoying the thrill. Another crack of stone and the tower begins to break. He reaches down to grab the Relto Book, just to be ready. It's then he realizes it's gone. he turns to escape but he's already falling. A cry for help, that those who were there heard. He has no chance because I took the book. The rubble buries him forever.

No. I have to believe it didn't happen that way.

03.01.2004 2175.58.81 has appeared on my desk again. I thought everyone was gone. Zandi? If I don't do anything else, I have to find this place before I leave here. I'm supposed to. Zandi wouldn't send it out if there wasn't a reason for it. If it is him. Maybe I'll find some answers. Watson, Phil, the DRC, the failure. Do these coordinates hold the answers?

03.22.2004 - Is someone else here? I'm not sure I'm alone anymore. I'm going to have to be careful.

03.22.2004 - It seems obvious I have to get the Great Zero on. Rumors used to be that the DRC had the multiple links inside of their Private Rooms in Kirel. Getting to Kirel isn't a problem it's getting into the private rooms that is. It's something to do with the lights, I've figured. Just not sure what.

03.22.2004 - G = Green. O = Orange, B = Blue

03.22.2004 - There is someone here. I'm fairly certain of it now. But perhaps this isn't such a bad thing.

03.23.2004 - Over a 1000 has to be a hood. But that isn't much considering the number of hoods in this place.

03.23.2004 - Well, there are other places. I must go. Other things I must do. Goodbye.

Ae'gura and Bevin notebook

Found on Relto bookshelf, written by Yeesha.

Ae'gura and Bevin

There were some
who came here
thinking
they could build the tree.
But only a dead tree is
built.
Life cannot be assembled
from remains.

And now these builders
are gone.
What has happened
to them?
Are they now
part of the remains,
or have they become
part of the tree?

For the tree does grow,
the great cavern breathes,
voices in places
in the great void.
The called
continue their journey here.
Building or growing
it is their choice.

One new book...
given to
open up paths in the cavern
given to
open up the origin
given to
open up a glimpse of the future

Phil's Relto journal

Found on the bookshelf in Phil Henderson's Relto.

returning...

it is odd being here again after losing myself

i don't feel like part of this, and yet i feel like i am here for something

odd

this restoration is not right it's not that it's wrong just that it will only rebuild not restore

rebuilding is about slicing and fixing on the outside
rebuilt trees make fences and walls

restoration is about growth and life on the inside
restored trees make fruit and shade

she is making sure that the tree has begun to grow again


what is d'ni?

what is this kingdom?
i have read of d'ni the people
i have lived in d'ni the place
i have spoken d'ni the language

a kingdom is made of both life and belief
it is only real with both
lives without belief is a kingdom of cards
only waiting to fall
belief without lives is a kingdom of dead
only waiting to live


i know a little but i only think i know more
i see a little but i only think i see more
i understand a little but i only think i understand more

i see a little and i know i will find more

i can never know and see and understand
i can only ever know see and understand more


i talked to many people today

but i don't really know them

how can i know other people?

they are revealed only in their words and actions

i suppose only really in their actions

words are easy

i talked to many people today


i am growing

and i am growing anxious

and i am growing weary

and i am growing closer

and i am growing up

and i am growing impatient

and i am growing leary

and i am growing wise

and i am growing less

and less


my seeking feels like it comes to an end now I feel like i am called higher to become lower

i will find them again they are calling me

i don't know why but i will know when i find them

i remember what they showed me before and I must find that again

i hear them even now calling me

she has heard them

i can't resist

i am going

The Great Zero notebook

Found on a shelf in the Great Zero Antechamber in Ae'gura.

The Great Zero

DRAFT COPY
1.04 DRC

Welcome to the Great Zero!

You'll notice a number of different areas to the Great Zero Structure as well as a number of various machines. We apologize for the great detail but the structure and related mechanisms and systems are somewhat complicated.

Antechamber

You are currently standing in the Great Zero Antechamber. Though you can see the Great Zero machinery through the small window, access to the Great Zero Courtyard is not available directly from the antechamber. In order to access the plaza, you will need to upload five Great Zero Markers (GZM's) into the Great Zero system and link into the plaza via your nexus.

Great Zero Marker (GZM) Uploads

Great Zero Markers, found in numerous locations throughout the cavern, are fairly easy to find and, by following a few easy steps, simple upload into the system.

1. Once you have a KI version 2.0 or higher (which you have if you've linked here by way of the Nexus), you still need to upgrade your KI to retrieve marker coordinates. That can be done easily by placing your KI into the upload machine in this room. The first time a KI is inserted, the system will enable your KI to retrieve markers. If you see 5 faint colored lights on your KI, then you have properly enabled your KI to retrieve markers.

2. Find GZM's. They are located throughout the cavern in a variety of locations. (Please note that markers can be in a large variety of places, not just the more common paths.) However, be aware that these markers will not be visible unless they sense an upgraded KI within twenty-five feet.

3. Before the point they are visible to the naked eye (as long as there is an unobstructed view), the small light on your KI will also begin to flash as an indicator. Once you see the GZM, you will need to touch it. You will know the GZM has been registered if one of the faint lights turns solid.

4. Once you have found 5 GZM's (and have 5 solid lights on your KI) you will need to return here, to the antechamber, and upload your GZM's into the system. You can use the same machine you used to initiate your KI to do that.

Great Zero Courtyard

1. Once you have uploaded 5 GZM's, you will find a new link in your Nexus. That link will take you to the Great Zero courtyard, the central location of the Great Zero neutrino dispenser.

2. You will see another upload machine inside of the courtyard as well as a couple of doors toward the back of the room.

Great Zero Calibration Center Access

1. The calibration center located beyond the courtyard cannot be accessed unless a KI has registered more GZM's (more than the 5 that are needed to access the courtyard). Registering is done the same way as listed above; you'll have a new set of faint lights. As the GZM's are found they will turn solid again.

2. Once the second set of GZM's have been uploaded (in either the courtyard or the antechamber) the doors leading to the calibration center will automatically open for you from that point forward.

Great Zero Calibration Center

1. Most important to the calibration center are the four Great Zero Maintenance Units (GZMU) toward the back as well as the Calibration Imager (CI).

2. Once you have uploaded 20 GZ Markers in upload machines in either the antechamber or courtyard, you will be allowed access to the machines and the ability to find a new type of marker known as a Calibration Great Zero Marker (CGZM).

Calibration Great Zero Markers (CGZM's)

1. Once you have reached the Great Zero Calibration Center, your KI only needs to finish the calibration process by synchronizing calibrations with the Great Zero itself.

2. There are four machines that enable you to carry out the final task.

3. You will need to receive a coordinate from one of the three machines (the fourth is not yet available) and find the single marker at that coordinate. Similar to the early markers it will only become visible when you have entered a certain radius, and you will have to touch it. After you have found the first one you will need to return to the Calibration Center and insert your KI into one of the machines. At that time you will be able to read one of the three coordinates on you KI.

4. After the second you will be able to read two.

5. After the third, you will be able to read three.

6. At that point the fourth will become available.

7. After you have found the fourth marker, your KI will be calibrated.

8. If the Great Zero has not been turned on, it will also be turned on. (Is that true Laxman? We obviously haven't tested this.)

9. And you're finished. Congratulations.

We at the DRC hope that this document has provided you a better understanding of the KI and Great Zero functionality. We also hope you realize how vital your success is to help calibrate our Great Zero. We appreciate your support greatly. (Is this too mushy? Might be a little over-the-top.)

Again, thank you for visiting the Great Zero and we appreciate your patience and support.

Me'emen Story notebook

Found on a table on the lower level of the Library on Ae'gura.

Me'emen Story

The Story of Me'emen - taken from book 210.

Translation: Nick

First Draft

And a dark sickness spread through the city. And sores broke out on the skin of those who the sickness touched (might be better translated infected but "touched" fits with the literary style) and some began to die. The sickness came from Yasefe where the large trees grew and where the wood of Yamen was harvested. As it was there was great fear in the houses of all those who lived with Yamen close to them. And so great fear spread through the King's household, and through all those who worked in the halls of the Guilds and those who looked over the city.

Such fear overcame the minds of reason and many began to flee the city and run to the other places that were available to them. But King Me'emen was angry at those who ran and was himself, unafraid (literally not of fear).

And so he called for the Healer, Grand Master Shemef, to come to his room. And though Shemef was preparing to flee, he obeyed his King and came to him quickly.

"Grand Master Shemef," the King asked his Healer "Have you not read the histories of our people? Have you not been instructed in the ways of those who led your Guild in the generations before you? Are you not aware of the plague that this place has already seen?"

"My King it is for these reasons that I am prepared to flee. For I know those who died and those who were unable to prevent it from taking hold of them. I know of this plague in detail."

And the King answered "Depart. I have no time for you Shemef. Depart to your own Age, and do not return to this place again. May it be that my eyes never look upon your face again."

And Shemef departed from King Me'emen and he never saw him again.

And King Me'emen called for Guild Master Anem of the Guild of Healers. And though Anem was preparing to flee, he obeyed his King and came to him quickly.

"Guild Master Anem," the King asked his Healer "Have you too not read the histories of our people?" Have you not heard the ways of those who led your Guild three thousand years ago?"

"My King, of course. It is for those reasons that I know what may happen to our people. It is for that reason that we must protect ourselves first so that we may protect those who trust us for protection."

"It is not how I would have thought. Depart with your Master. And may I never see you again," King Me'emen ordered.

And King Me'emen called for Guild Master Raman of the Guild of Healers. And though Raman was preparing to flee, he obeyed his King and came to him quickly.

"Guild Master Raman," the King asked his Healer. "Tell me that you have read the histories of our people and been instructed in the ways of your Guild. Tell me you have heard of the destruction of the sickness that overcame our people three thousand years ago."

"Of course, my King. It is for these reasons that we must bring the ancient books to another Age so that we may study our records and learn in the ways that we must fight. But to stay here would be suicide."

"It is as I would have thought. Depart with your Master. And may you never see the light of the lake again," King Me'emen ordered.

And King Me'emen was greatly disturbed and troubled. And he stayed in his room for four nights. His servants brought food for him but he refused to eat. And his servants brought advisors but he refused to speak. And all of those around him became worried even as more of the city became empty.

And finally King Me'emen called for Guild Captain Irem of the Guild of Healers. And Irem was studying in the Guild and he obeyed his King and came to him quickly.

"Guild Captain Irem," the King asked his Healer. "Tell me that you have read the histories of our people and been instructed in the ways of your Guild. Tell me that not all of D'ni is running in fear of a sickness that can be defeated."

"Of course, my King. It is for these reasons that I have not left my class since I first heard of the sickness appearing in the district where the trees appear. I understand that our father, the honored Guild Master Jaysem worked for six years even after the Book of Birenni was found. He worked day and night and stood by our people as he sought to save them from the sickness that had even infected our King. It is for these reasons that I will not leave this place until this sickness is no longer in our city."

"Tell me whatever you need and it will be yours. You are most honored in this palace today and D'ni will be saved because of you." And King Me'emen was filled with joy and he ate from the food his servants brought him and spoke with the advisors who came to speak.

As it was, Irem spent day and night without sleeping for four more days. And on the fifth day, the cure was found and the sickness was deadly no longer.

And King Me'emen gave the Guild of Healers to Irem and he was known as Grand Master from that day forward. Shemef, Anem, and Raman were restricted from the Guild of Healers and never again allowed inside of it or of the palace or of any of the King's dwellings and structures.

And King Me'emen ordered the surveying of a new section of the city to be called Nehw'eril. And this section was to be away from the city so that any sickness brought from the other worlds would not be brought to the heart of the city but instead away from it so that fear would not spread again.

And he ordered that the story of Grand Master Irem be taught to all of those who were instructed by the Guild of Healers from that day forward so that none would forget the power of D'ni and the great strength of their medicines and learning.

Seems a good place to stop. I've filled in a few words that I weren't sure about but overall feel pretty good about this one.

Kedri Story notebook

Found on a table on the lower level of the Library on Ae'gura.

Kedri Story

The Story of Kedri - taken from book 42B.

Translation: Nick

First Draft

Kedri loved his people and the people of D'ni loved their King, for Kedri did well in the eyes of Yahvo and sought to serve those whom he lead.

In the 48th year of his reign, Kedri roamed the streets of Ae'gura and was greatly disturbed. For even though all people, rich and poor, loved their King, Kedri saw that the entire Island of Ae'gura was filled with those who were prosperous and those who governed D'ni.

"Where are my people?" Kedri asked to those who walked with him.

"All around you," they answered, pointing to the crowds that followed them.

"Yet I do not see my people here. I see Masters of the Guild and I see owners of our stores. But I do not see those who have no option to join our Guild or those who have built the stores. Where are my people on this island?"

So the King called together his counselors and expressed his disappointments and he ordered that a new place (place isn't right I'm having trouble with this word - not the usual district word either although that might be a better translation. Or home) be built on the Island and that the name of the place (?) be Shamathen. He ordered that Shamathen be made available not to those who did possess the wealth and stature of the elite but to those who were not so fortunate. Still, they were his people. And the area was built and Kedri was joyful to see his people live in such a place (same word again).

A short while later, after the area of Shamathen began to grow, Kedri was walking through the city conversing with his people and telling them of his plans. And Kedri was led to the Common Library because he wanted to see the Ages that he heard his people talk of.

And again the King was disturbed and he asked his advisors. "Where are the Books that the great D'ni have written?"

"All around you," they answered, pointing to the rows of books that lined the shelves."

"Yet I do not see the Ages of our people here. I see Ages that resemble failed school assignments for the students of Writers. I see Ages that not even those students would visit, much less a King. So I will ask again? Where are the great Ages of D'ni?"

So the King returned to his palace and ordered his counselors to bring his most prized book - the Age of the Kings, written during the reign of his grandfather - to the Common Library so that the people of D'ni might be able to see the skills of the great writers, even as he had seen them.

And the people loved their King more than they had before.

So the King called his advisors and ordered them to add to the Great Temple so that Yahvo might be pleased and so all of D'ni could visit their god (really it's a form of Yahvo again - I thought god made more sense though) in his house just as those with money (an inherited kind of money) were allowed to do. The King ordered them to add to the Opera House so that all of D'ni could hear the skills of song of the people, just as those with money (an earned kind of money) were allowed to do. The King ordered them to add to the district of Belari, so that the area started by King Rakeri might not fall into disrepair but be treated as all other areas of the city and that all of D'ni might live in prosperity just as those with money (both earned and inherited) were allowed to do.

And all people of D'ni grew to love their King more than they had before.

Some trouble spots here. Seems there were a few different kinds of money words - might need help with those as well as the whole "place" thing.

Me'erta Story notebook

Found on a table on the lower level of the Library on Ae'gura.

Me'erta Story

The Story of Me'erta - taken from book 28B.

Translation: Nick

First Draft

In the time of Me'erta, in the 196th year of his reign Jolatha, his mother came to him in his bedroom. Now it was well known, thoughout the city, of Me'erta and his craving (lust) for women. And none knew this weakness (a weakness of choice is more literal) more than his own mother. So it was that Jolatha brought with her the woman Ramel who worshipped the Tree. Ramel's beauty was well known in D'ni, especially among those who worshipped the Tree and especially among the Kings. (Plural Kings is here although I don't know why - maybe implied the whole Kings' palace or history - not sure.)

But as it was, though the King could have any object in D'ni, Ramel had been held from him by his mother until now. And she offered her son Ramel in exchange for her own purposes.

"But what are your purposes," the King asked. "For do you think me so foolish as to give you anything you want for a mere woman?"

"Of course not, my son. But as you know, you have watched Ramel from afar for many years. You have talked to your advisors and plotted the ways in which you could make her yours. But you have been unable even to look upon her so closely until this day. Until this day that I have brought her to you. So do not think I am so foolish as to believe that this woman is a mere woman."

"You have spoken truthfully. In fact, as I gaze upon her now, I have never imagined her to be so beautiful. She is like a statue, without flaw. But even so, do you think I would give you whatever you wish for even a woman such as this?"

Now Jolatha was cunning (?) and Me'erta was eager (?) for Ramel. And every day Jolatha brought the woman into the King's bedroom and everyday she offered her son the woman Ramel in exchange for her own purposes.

And as the nights passed Me'erta became unsatisfied with those who were already his. He became spiteful of those who came to his bedroom, for none compared to the woman Ramel whom his mother continued to withhold from him. And finally he could resist his mother's arguments no longer.

And Jolatha came to his bedroom with the woman Ramel. And King Me'erta began to speak.

"The woman has ruined my life. There is none like her in all my Ages, and you bring her to this room night after night. Those who I have found beautiful have faded in comparison to this one and I no longer find pleasure in them. Therefore I am no longer satisfied with anything and I will not be satisfied until this woman is mine. What is it that you ask of me? Whatever it is I will give, you have my word."

"Very well, my son. I will talk to you tomorrow."

And Jolatha gave the woman Ramel, of the worshippers of the Tree, to her son. And Ramel was King Me'erta's from that day forward.

At the dawn of the next day Jolatha came to Me'erta while he was still sleeping and told him her purposes.

"The Guild of Writers has long had their rules, their restrictions, and their ancient oaths. But you realize my son that these words are old now, and no longer the ways of our people. Ri'neref was responsible for them and they are like a collar (?) around our necks, growing ever tighter and preventing us from moving forward. It is time that we are freed."

Even Me'erta was disturbed. "But there are none who would agree to this. The oath is as stone. It can not be altered for it has never been. And yet not only do you ask me to change the oath, but contradict the things it says?"

And Jolatha grew angry. "Are you so foolish? Do you think I ask you to carry out the impossible? There is but one thing that but must be changed. One thing that will give us freedom. It is the D'ni who have created the Art as we know it, not Yahvo. Thus, since it is true, it is us who can determine the rules of the Art, not the ancient religious writings.

"They will view it as blasphemy," the King responded. "But I will do as you say."

And so, King Me'erta spoke to the Guild of Writers. His words were well crafted, often from his mother, and his arguments strong, for they too Jolatha gave him. And his effort was great, for there was no other woman besides Ramel and it was the woman that he lived for.

However, though many in the Guild of Writers were easily convinced by the sharp words of the King there was one who was not. Grand Master Tremal was old in age and wise beyond even his years. And his decision was hard (the word is a certain kind of stone that was considered to be the most hard and immovable) and he would not be moved.

"Never will we change what Ailesh has written in the oaths. Never we will change what we have spoken for generations. Never will we allow a crack to be opened in the great wall of our Guild. For is it Terahnee that you seek. But is Terahnee not the reason we exist?"

For Tremal could see the plans of Jolatha even in the words of the King. And Tremal knew that if the ancient religious writings did not determine their fate, the hearts of men would rule, and there would be nothing to stop Jolatha from having her way.

And so for three days Tremal stood to the words of the King. For three days the King would return to his palace and receive new words from his mother. For three days the anger of Jolatha burned against Tremal and grew stronger.

And so it was that on the fourth day, when the King was no longer welcome to the Guild, Grand Master Tremal was found hanging from a tree, his body covered in blood.

The King was sad when he heard the news, for he held no bitterness in his heart toward Tremal. But when Jolatha heard the news she was overjoyed and ordered the King to the Guild of Writers to change the oath and carry out her own purposes.

But as it was, the death of Tremal had breathed boldness into the Guild and in unison they denounced the wicked evil that had killed their Grand Master and vowed that the oaths of their Guild would never be changed and that their would be no more discussions.

So Jolatha devised other plans for she knew that even she could not change such determined (the same word as used above - the hardened stone) guildsmen.

And King Me'erta lived with Ramel and he was satisfied with all those who visited his room again. Even as he was filled with pleasure, Jolatha plotted evil, and the city in which he lived grew weak.

Probably ready for a Dr. Watson review.

Dr. Watson's journal

Found in the eder tomahn in the Great Shaft.

Dr. Watson

12.26.03

I can't take it. After all of our efforts to ensure everyone's safety down here in the cavern, yet another accident has taken the life of another friend. It's too much.

For years I've been stressing that the restoration must be handled carefully - that extreme caution should be our byword. There is no reason to rush.

Then recently the explorers began showing up. Despite our warnings, despite our statements that we're moving and working as quickly as we safely can, it wasn't fast enough for them. They just don't comprehend. We've been working down here for over ten years! Yet they think they know better, that we can "just approve areas more quickly." I have tried to impress upon them the importance of moving slowly. Deliberately. Carefully. My warnings seemed to fall on deaf ears. Their enthusiasm is understandable. Their disregard for the safety of the people down here is not.

Then Phil returned. He'd been gone over a year after he disappeared behind the door we were unable to open in Eder Kemo. We had worried about him, hoping he was still OK. It was great to have him back and know he was OK. But was just as willing to risk his safety and disregard our precautions as the explorers. Now, just a few weeks after his return, he was in an unauthorized area today and was killed when a wall collapsed on him.

The accidents must be stopped! It started with Branch being killed in an accident in one of our trips in '91. Then the death of Elias in '93 because his obsession with the restoration had caused him to neglect his health. Then all the needless injuries suffered by various restoration engineers over the years. And, now the death of Phil. That is the final straw. It has to stop. I cannot bear the responsibility of the restoration any longer. The price is too high!

12.31.03

I don't know where I am going. I've been wandering the tunnels for days. No direction, no purpose. Trying to clear my head.

1.1.04

Nothing happy about this New Year.

1.4.04

I keep running over it in my head. I've been so committed to this project for so long, maybe I've been deluding myself about the truth. What if we've been wrong all along? What if Jeff's been right?

1.8.04

Maybe the restoration should take a completely different direction. It's hard to imagine that I'm saying this. I'm still in denial that we've spent so many years of our lives heading in the wrong direction. But the very fact that I can even entertain that as a possibility means something.

1.9.04

The restoration cannot continue as we had planned. It breaks my heart, but I know deep down that it's true.

So much time, so many plans, so much. Gone. So much.

I still can't believe I'm even thinking this, but that's the way it has to be.

Will the other restoration members understand? Maybe.

The explorers won't, I'm sure.

Can't be helped. The restoration can't continue after these events.

But all that work. All the progress we were making. No words to describe how angry it makes me, even while knowing inside that this is how it must be. Such a waste!

1.10.04

No! There must be a way! Something else we can do to continue the restoration and still ensure everyone's safety. Surely now that people have seen tragedy firsthand, they'll recognize how important our caution is.

1.12.04

Depression.

It won't work. We tried that for months. Even Phil's death won't change it.

1.14.04

I realize now that Atrus was right. He said that the city in the cavern should not be restored. I believed for years that his admonition didn't include those of us from the surface, that we could somehow be a loophole in his concerns. But he was right. I finally see that now.

1.15.04

What do we do now?

1.16.04

Phil said that he had been on a journey and was convinced that there was a better way.

I need to talk to Ikuro.

1.17.04

I find myself here... in a familiar place, that suddenly holds so much more meaning. Here at the very crossroads, the pivotal juncture of D'ni and Human intertwining. This very room where Ti'ana once rested with her young son Gehn; where Gehn and his own son Atrus slept along their journey. This small room, on the cusp of the grandest of rooms. A tiny resting place half of the distance up (or down) the Great Shaft itself; a pause - half way between here and there.

I find myself here...

It's been my pause. My chance to ponder. I've been wandering for three weeks, grieving, thinking, fasting, reflecting... pausing. Pausing from the cares of work, of rebuilding, of rules, of structure, of people and places, of frictions and factions... of life and death.

And now I realize that I have only looked on D'ni as bones. My rebuilding was only an attempt to reassemble the dried dead bones into a dried dead skeleton - no more alive, but arranged to poorly mimic what once was alive. I somehow thought that those dried bones would live again and become the storyteller - telling me the things I long to know.

I still long to know, I still feel a calling. I am meant to be a part of D'ni, somehow. I am drawn here because it holds an answer for me. But now I understand that I need more than a dead story from a pile of bones. I need a storyteller who lives.

And so here I am, small, on the edge of vast unknown - this place that seems so appropriate. I have come to a conclusion. A conclusion that goes against who I was, but fills me with life and hope. I will take a leap of faith. I will take a new journey - the journey that Phil encouraged me to take for myself - a journey that is out of my control. I will jump into something and lose myself. Take a journey to places unknown, whose end is not yet written...

I will follow Yeesha's mysterious beckoning. Somehow even writing it lifts my spirit! I am returning to the surface to do just that.

And you, friend, (if you have not already done so) should do the same. Leap without truly understanding what lies beneath, and let a glimpse of the future rise up to meet you.

I'm terrified, but also full of hope that D'ni can now truly be restored, alive again.

And the storyteller will be alive - and it will be me.

The Watcher notebook

Found in Relto.

On the six hundred and twenty fifth month of my life I was gazing upon the star of Ces in the sky of the age of Windring. And at the time of my birth the star began to brighten until it became brighter than the rings themselves. And with a sudden brilliance it turned the night into day. And I beheld the fire of the Maker. And he spoke to me. And the fire of the Maker left me, and I saw only blackness, because my eyes were blinded. But his words remained...

"You will wait for a time. And you will watch for a time more. And you will receive the signs - signs of things that have been, and signs of things that will be. And great wisdom will be passed through you so that those who come after you will know that I am the Maker.

"You will watch for the signs of the builders. For the builders will make great things of D’ni. And D’ni will grow and prosper. But this prosperity is a curse. So the sign of the builders is a curse.

"You will watch for the signs of the breakers. For the breakers will make nothing of D’ni. And D’ni will die. But this death is a blessing. So the sign of the breakers is a blessing."

"You will watch for the signs of the grower. For the grower will see the dead tree, and the grower will see the new sprigs, and the grower will prune. The grower will grow the new D’ni. So the sign of the grower is a blessing."

And so for one day I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for four more days I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for twenty more days I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for one hundred more days I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for six hundred more days I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none.

And I cried out to the Maker, "How long will you make me watch and wait, for I am weary?" And the Maker replied, "You will watch and wait until the signs come, for you are the watcher."

And so for one more month I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for four more months I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for twenty more months I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for one hundred more months I watched and waited for the signs. But there were none. And so for six hundred more months I watched and waited for the signs.

And many years had passed, and I was weary, but still I watched.

And at the time of my birth on that final day, as I waited near the cavern of Rolep, a wind blew through the cavern, and my sight was restored. And the first thing I looked upon was the stairs of Rolep. And I climed to the top and looked out at the great tree of D’ni, and wept. And the Maker spoke these words...

"Behold you have watched for me, and now I will bless you. Today I have given you your sight, and tomorrow you will prosper. I will give you wisdom, but I will keep you from the pride. The wisdom I give, you will not understand, it is for those to come. Be humble and write the wisdom that I will show you.

And so on the first day the Maker gave me five lines of wisdom. And I wrote the first five lines in five sections ? one in each section. And so on the second day the Maker gave me five more lines of wisdom. And these lines became the second lines in each of the five sections.

For one hundred and twenty five days the Maker gave me five lines of wisdom on each day. And they were added to the sections.

And then I rested.

And this is how these words of the Maker were given to me. But I know not whether they are signs of things that have been, or signs of things that will be. And these lines I have written so that those who come after me will know the wisdom of the Maker.

Watcher section 1 notebook

Found in Relto.

Section 1

] Revere the Maker; cherish the made.
] Here lies wisdom.
]
] The door lies at the end of the path.
] Who will gather? Many.
] Who will finish? Few.
]
] The grower will take time.
] The grower will bring light.
] The grower will have Ages.
] Take it, and more it to and fro.
] Bring light, and give it to the dark places.
] Have Ages, and link to them without bindings.
]
] Loud cries yet again.
] Can it be made? No.
] We mourn our loss.
] No one sees.
]
] In the rock where changes are found.
] Because of tunnels D’ni has changed forever.
] New events surround us,
] Awaiting our arrival.
]
] The path to the left or right?
] That is the only power of man.
]
] The grower leads in the dark,
] While the deceiver flails in the light.
] The grower raises truth in the absence of eyes,
] While the deceiver blesses them in clear view of many.
] Without the grower, those who are like the grower would never learn.
] Without the grower, the name known by all would not have existed.
]
] Knowing the least is the path of wisdom.
] A sweet aroma rising up.
] Kings and prophets, the proud ones have the stench of death.
] The passing of time brings the path to the gathered.
] A breach has been cut, and now the paths are joined.
] The giving of gifts heals the wound of the builder.
]
] In cages they weep,
] Time and again.
] But without their tears,
] Truth remains hidden.
]
] Your cry is your call.
] If no one will hear them, weep for us.
]
] The choices of the wise bring pleasure to the Maker.
] The meeting of worlds is death and life.
]
] They count years and months.
] A long week is as short as an age is long.
]
] There is noise where once there was silence;
] Light where once there was not.
] Stone stands tall,
] And rock falls down.
] And they are watched;
] Always.
] Not knowing.
] Silence will return.
] Light will fade.
] Stone will fall.
] Rock will grow,
] Again.
]
] From the shadow of the wound, history will be rewritten.
] The disease will spread until D’ni cannot be saved.
]
] Seven they are,
] Though little do they realize
] Only four is seen as they see.
] For seven is one,
] And one is seven.
]
] Writing of links is a gift to be cherished.
]
] Where are our people?
] Who are our people?
] What are our people?
] Cry those who die on the streets.
]
] The crumbling of the walls will come from within.
] The stories of the destroyer will be the start of the burden.
] The burdened one will come from outside.
] The burden of the remnant will be laid upon his shoulders.
] Be still and the path will be made known.
]
] What will grow?
] The tree of all things.
] Who will grow it?
] The grower.
]
] Pages burn.
] Ink spills.
] Is there no one to protect us?
] When we turn against ourselves.
]
] Books will be your stronghold, and then you will die.
] The destroyer will cut down this great tree of wickedness?
] Another place will be their refuge,
] Another place will be their home.
] Dance and celebrate, for the tree grows again.
]
] Seven nameless abused;
] Six called abused;
] Five sent away;
] Four sell to three;
] Three excepted without eighteen;
] Two one of eight;
] One wear color and hold paper.
]
] Poison fills the hearts of many;
] New air enters some.
] Believe.
]
] The scream you hear has no breath.
] Old ways are kept just to test.
]
] Curses reign upon the others;
] From the lips of the proud.
] Eyes are removed,
] Yet sight is restored.

Watcher section 2 notebook

Found in Relto.

Section 2

] Do not trust the sons of the burdened one.
] They will seek comfort in their books.
] This is the warning of the fall.
] Do not seek comfort in your books.
] When destruction comes, other ages will not save you.
]
] Seen under bones in the jail cells,
] A row of keys is here.
]
] Minds are soft, hearts are callused.
] In the new place chaos reigns.
] Wisdom is hidden.
] But a storm approaches, and a new river flows.
] Its waters of deep red stain the land.
] Cross the valley of dry sand and new blooms will appear.
] Wisdom is found.
]
] The action of the gathered means nothing.
] The action of the deceived is toiling in vain.
]
] The dam has been destroyed,
] And the river opened.
] He who unleashes its fury
] Screams for mercy, and calls for help.
] But no one comes.
] As death drowns him,
] It takes everything in its path.
]
] Darkness makes the righteous humble and the evil bold.
] Darkness comes at the end of time.
] Take the path upward, or those above will travel downward.
] Seek the path of the shell.
] The meeting of worlds is destruction and blessing.
] The kingdom of D’ni is not made of rock and stone, but heart and mind.
]
] They rejoice at a spark,
] Though they never see the fire.
] They rejoice at a star,
] Though they never see the sun.
] They honor magicians,
] And never know of true power.
] They bow to liars,
] Because truth cannot wait.
]
] When the tree dies there will come a new one.
] A grower to learn of the death.
] A grower to see new life.
] A grower to bring the gathered.
] A grower to restore the least.
] A grower to move through time.
] A grower to link at will.
] A grower to follow the shell.
] A grower to banish the darkness.
] A grower to graft the branches.
] A grower to join the paths.
]
] Black turns to green.
] Red and yellow fruits emerge.
] And he laughs at the worm,
] And soon there are many.
]
] The hill of fire allows them to find their way.
] Evil follows their path.
] One will take where another left off.
] Vagabonds enter unknowingly.
] Incomplete is the task at hand.
] Soon there will be another.
]
] Thought not a King, the Ruler dies.
] The spilling of his blood
] Creates rivers in the city.
]
] He laughs and smiles and cries at him
] And the one with him.
] Another teachers,
] So that the choices are ours.
]
] The patient find solace in the wait,
] While the restless follow the path of folly.
] Follow the patient path.
]
] There are three who live in darkness and silence.
] Blinded are those who search for them.
] One saves D’ni and dies
] At the hands of rulers.
] Another destroys D’ni and lives
] At the hands of followers.
] There is another who both destroys and saves;
] Both lives and dies,
] At the hands of both rulers and followers.
] While there is always strength in the hidden,
] There is a great trust in those who live and die.
]
] The Maker uses those who are willing.
] He provides a light to discern the willing from the wicked.
] A light in the cavern eases fears and provides comfort for the willing.
] A light in the cavern causes the wicked to scurry to the darkness.
]
] A new life, in a new place, begins for a few;
] Full of blessings, full of good.
] But maturity does not come from ease and prosperity.
] Prepare for suffering, and growth will come.
]
] Life dies, darkness spreads.
] Day ends, Night grows.
]
] What is this invasion?
] For the fourth time, they come.
] Two come to war;
] Two run from war;
] Two die;
] Two live although they kill.
] All of them;
] Above whom are none
] They believe.
]
] So I say again
] Seven they are,
] Though little do they realize.
] Only four is seen as they see.
] For seven is one,
] And one is seven.
]
] Libraries hold the writings of man.
] Hearts hold the truth of the Maker.

Watcher section 3 notebook

Found in Relto.

Section 3

] Like a tree they spread.
] Like a tree they unite.
] Like a tree they spread.
] Like a tree they unite.
] It repeats over and over,
] And brings fits to my sleep.
] From many to one,
] And one to many.
]
] Pause.
] Harken unto my expressed summons as given.
]
] Remain.
] Know you are meant to go through it and wait nearby.
]
] Wait.
] If you can be calm,
] The way is simple thing to gain.
]
] Linger.
] Be quiet and see what’s near.
] You can open it.
]
] Do not forsake the Maker,
] For the meaning of his name is only for him.
]
] Mountains stand tall.
] New water feeds the stagnant.
] Through the minds of impostors
] Comes new life.
]
] A puddle frozen in time
] Brings strength to the weak.
] Minds are forsaken,
] And bodies are lost.
]
] A river of blood flows from the surface.
]
] It is written in the dark.
] The ten eyes do not see it.
] He creates alone;
] Weary of what may come.
]
] Why does the maker not know our choice?
] Because he chooses not to know it.
] He sees the branches of all choices,
] He knows the paths of all possibilities.
] But the pruning he has placed in the hands of man.
] This is the strength and downfall of man.
] This is how man will be measured.
]
] But it is many who will come
] To revel in his joy;
] To hide themselves from the eyes
] Who do not see the path.
]
] One who finds, will need.
] One who needs, will find.
] And one who meets the needs of another
] Will find his own needs met.
]
] They will subdue the weak and it will be their undoing.
] From above will come destruction, from above will come new life.
] The wound in the desert will bring forth the renewal of hope.
] Bring the least, and expect nothing in return.
] The passing of time brings the past to the present.
]
] Circles are the paths that lead to walls;
] And return to the beginning.
]
] Take time to know the faces of stone.
] Take time to understand the path of the shell.
] What will crush you?
] The weight of ordinances and laws.
] What will lift you?
] The wings of a heart for the Maker.
]
] The watcher will watch for words from the Maker.
] The voice will speak the mind of the Maker.
] The grower will grant the blessings of the Maker.
] The destroyer will hold the knife of the Maker.
] The seeker will share the truths of the Maker.
] The grower will bring the life of the Maker.
] The builder will build the peace of the Maker.
]
] First there is a one;
] Followed by a nine.
] Four leads a ten.
] Numbers;
] Cut into stone.
] If understood they could save,
] But their value is lost on the blind.
] Look at the time they spend trying to see numbers.
] There is no value in such numbers.
] For only after are they understood.
] Why do these numbers haunt us so?
] They will laugh upon us
] And reveal our weakness;
] In the face of the great time.
]
] Foolish men. Do you think that you are the only writers?
] Who is this new writer? The rules are written within him.
]
] The rain starts and the tree will grow,
] But are you the one to start it?
] You did nothing but follow.
] The grower is the one who leads.
]
] You toil and strive to write Ages and move stones.
] The path of the stone is toil for the gathered.
]
] Ink will be shared,
] And Ink will be lost.
]
] The Maker knows all the branches of the tree.
] The Maker can send the knife of the water.
]
] And few will be greater than the grower.
] For the grower will know pain.
] And the wounds will make the least the greatest.
] But do not be deceived.
] Few ears in the low places will know the grower.
] But many ears will hear those who claim to be the grower.
] Only the ears of the new ones will hear the true grower.
] Do not be deceived.

Watcher section 4 notebook

Found in Relto.

Section 4

] In the night they walk through the streets
] Looking to one another for explanation;
] Trying to understand the mourning that fills the city,
] And prevent them from lying down.
] Others ignore the wails.
] They feel safe and talk as though they are immortal.
] As they too succumb to death
] They remember the restless nights.
]
] The number of the watcher is six hundred and twenty five.
] It is the number of waiting.
] It is the number of truth.
]
] You only need to ask what has been viewed to know.
]
] A heart for the least is the path to forgiveness.
] Move your heart far from pride, and joy will come.
]
] A desert bird knows where to wait and watch
] A desert bird knows when the storm will come.
] A desert bird knows where the water will flow.
] A desert bird knows when the tree will grow.
]
] A new five reign.
] To bring them back;
] To return;
] To unite.
]
] A new one reigns.
] To send them away;
] To push away;
] To divide.
]
] If more you seek,
] Ask and then be given a ray of hope.
]
] A man pulls ten others behind him,
] Because he believes.
] Another lifeless body is thrown into the cart,
] Because it doubts.
] People line the street
] Watching the cart go through their midst.
] Wondering what they should choose,
] And where their own body will be soon.
]
] Learn from the least, for their burden is great.
] A bird from the desert will build a nest in the tree.
]
] There is a circle of seasons,
] Death and life,
] Until a final end.
] The way is made clear at the end of time.
]
] Do not fear the wound, it is a way of peace in time of need.
] A place of patience;
] A place of stone;
] The gathered are known by their faces of stone.
] A place to fall;
] A place to be raised;
] The gathered will fall into the wound.
]
] Like the lelam they grow,
] Expanding in size
] But lessening in thickness.
] Expanding in territory.
] Swallowing enemies and smaller beasts
] But dying slowly.
] For what they eat is of little value.
] And what they consume destroys the stomach.
] So they continue to expand,
] Until there is nothing left where they started.
]
] Winds of change blow from above.
] Feel the wind, it will move you.
]
] The little ones destroy;
] The little ones rebuild;
] The little ones remove;
] The little ones give back.
]
] The future is always revealed to those who wait.
] But the proud have no patience.
] Because of pride, the destruction will come.
]
] This is your one answer.
] What is given is proof of it.
]
] The wound gives birth to the rebuilder of pride.
] The wound takes the age of the rebuilder of pride.
]
] A new five reign;
] To bring them home;
] To return their life;
] To unite their desires.
]
] Rest in the light.
] Call in the dark.
] Sing in the time of joy.
] Weep in the time of the pride.
]
] A new one reigns;
] To send them away to what is good;
] To return them to what is right;
] To unite them to what is true.
]
] A heart for pleasure is a filthy pit of binding.
] A heart for the Maker is a clean breath of release.
]
] For they have claimed a share of very old order.
]
] I see the tree
] With only one branch.
] What misery
] To watch it fall
] And never grow.
]
] Nothing but a seed;
] A seed that grows slowly;
] Roots grow, fed by water;
] Growing upward, only one.
]
] The remnant will live in plenty,
] Until a time of testing comes.
] The remnant will learn of the Maker.
] From one who learns of the Maker.

Watcher section 5 notebook

Found in Relto.

Section 5

] Do my wishes deceive me?
] I have never seen like this before
] Darkness and tears fill my eyes,
] But not today.
] No longer do they mourn;
] No longer do they not realize their path.
] Is this the ending?
] Is this what I wait for?
] There can be no deception
] With such dreams that outweigh my own.
] Does this end have to leave so soon?
] Do not take the end from me.
]
] Do not put out the least for they will save you.
] The gathered will tell of the path of the shell.
] The bound will know of the path of the stone.
] Words are many, but action is what is desired.
] The gathered will find rest when the light comes.
] The circle is broken;
] The metal is melted in the fire.
] Strangely the cloth does not burn.
] The cloth of many;
] It remains in the fire
] And produces new life.
] Though the circle is gone
] It has brought triumph.
]
] The dreams of the wise are a gift from the Maker.
] The cleft is blessing to the gathered.
] Contempt is a gift from the accuser.
] Roll the stone to know the deceiver.
]
] They ask for it again.
] They cry out for yesterday.
] They want wisdom united
] Under one.
] “Never?, He says.
] That time has vanished.
] Misery will be great
] If that ancient place is visited again.
]
] Can a dead tree grow again?
] A man looks and sees death.
] It has been cut to nothing.
] There are no more branches,
] And no future is seen.
] But the Maker looks and sees life
] Beneath the death and destruction.
] A drop of water falls from the sky,
] And begins the journey downward.
] And the roots drink deeply.
] With the wisdom of the grower a new branch will grow.
]
] The burdened one will write to save worlds, and save one.
] The dreamer will dream to save worlds, and save many.
] The path is folly for those who toil.
] The path is wise for those who wait.
]
] I see the tree, with so many branches.
] What a sight!
] To watch it fall, and grow again.
]
] Can teeth replace Books?
] Can hands replace Ink?
] Can mirrors replace memory?
] Can one replace the many?
] When such things are believed
] So an ending nears.
]
] The Maker listens to D’ni,
] And he hears nothing.
]
] All of them look over you.
] And they do not see the right path.
] Follow the path of light, enter a new beginning.
]
] They seek answers in Ink and Paper
] And only find truth.
] They seek change in truth
] And only find empty hearts.
]
] They follow the truth and denounce all that is within.
] Evil is buried as quickly as love.
] They study the truth and denounce all choice.
] Evil is shunned as quickly as good.
] They write the truth and denounce all that came before.
] Perfection is sought as quickly as evil.
]
] Seek knowledge and you will find evil.
] Seek wisdom and you will find knowledge.
] Seek truth and you will find wisdom.
] Seek love and you will find truth.
]
] A new river flows through the land,
] Its paths are chosen wisely.
] The waters have lived through many dry lands
] And are no longer deceived by imaginary images.
] There are some who hear it roar through the land;
] Some see the dark waves and ripples.
] Those who refuse to acknowledge that it flows
] Are swept away by the storm that follows.
]
] Make a path to the sun,
] And the light will sine upon you.
] Make a path to the sky,
] And the storms will come.
]
] A new tree buries the beliefs of old;
] A tree of stone and power.
] Deep roots sustain it;
] Roots that absorb the waters of the past;
] Waters long forgotten
] But still flowing underground;
] Under new trees, with barks of life
] And rings of stone.
]
] Under the sun is the bringer of destruction.
] To the wound the bringer of pride returns.
] But the son of the son will carry the burden.
] And his wife will face the storm.
] Give him a pen, and he will plan.
] Give her a pen, and she will dream.
] And a daughter will carry the burden of her father.
] And the daughter of the daughter will live in peace.

The Watcher's Sanctuary notebook

Found in the Watcher's Sanctuary in D'ni.

Analysis

Author: Simpson (transcribed from voice recorder)

Age: The Watcher’s Sanctuary

Date: 10/7/2002 & 4/19/03 - Two trips

Okay, where to get started. The room itself is actually pretty simple and, at first glance, doesn’t see to have much to it. Well, for your average explorer. There is actually much more here than meets the eye. Much more, at least as far as history. It’s practically dripping off the walls. Fortunately, I dig that stuff. (Lucky for you, I’m also better than your average explorer.)

Might be getting ahead of myself. Structure. Circular room with a number of doorways leading off in each direction. Large staircase, might need some support work, leads to an upper level. Okay, this doesn’t work without knowing some of the history and story behind this place. I gotta start here.

I’ve done some translation and talked with Watson, this is great stuff.

Alright, the tree of the balcony. (I did do a little walking around). I can’t see it well ? dark ? but it’s an old tree ? don’t know exactly when it was created, although certain style and material elements suggest as far back as the early 2000’s, long before a guy called The Watcher came around. And it’s the Watcher that the place was created for, renovated for, and dedicated to from the time it was built in the late 4000’s, until the Fall of D’ni.

The Watcher lived during the mid 4000’s and spent most of that life on hidden, secluded Ages. He wrote a book called Words ? a prophetical book. Nostradamus type guy. Strange. Though it doesn’t seem his prophecies caught on real well at first, through a variety of events ? you can ask somebody else if you want to know them all ? the guy became more and more popular again. You know the deal. There was always a core group of followers, but the overall population wavered, I would imagine depending on how accurate they viewed his visions. Over the course of time a whole lot of copies of his books were printed. We’ve found plenty of them.

As I mentioned, the tree (which I still don’t know how to actually get to) was built long before the Watcher. No one at the DRC seems to know exactly what it was for ? best guesses are that the tree was built early on as a representation of the D’ni that had come here: the new tree. They definitely had a thing for trees.

So, the Watcher comes along and writes some prophecies. They end up becoming pretty popular, and they do deal quite a bit with the tree (as much of D’ni prophecy does) and an unknown guy builds this building with the tree as its “focus.? Seems like the building was an upper class lounge or sitting room, pub something along those lines. The intellectuals come and discuss the philosophies and politics of the day, although there was some homage being paid to the Watcher and his thoughts and ideas.

This “sanctuary? or whatever you want to call it, stayed successful even while ownership changed ? it seems it changed frequently as the philosophies and religious views of the people. It wasn’t until Kadish came along, yes our good friend Kadish, that the thing really took off. Unfortunately, right before the Fall. I’ve just realized that I haven’t moved in the past few minutes. I’m standing in a building giving an analysis of it without moving. Gotta love history.

So back to it. Nice little coves in this place. Wouldn’t be bad at all with a cigar and—Okay, Kadish and the Fall.

Kadish was the last guy to own it and it seems he did some renovations. This is where history and current day setup get interesting.

The Watcher spoke quite a bit, in Words, about someone known as the Grower. The Grower is prophesied to do a number of things, and it seems there were numerous interpretations of the Grower: some saw this person as little more than a great Lord or King, while others saw this person as a superhuman miracle worker, god-like conquering time, space, and dimension and everything else. The views on The Grower were as varied as you can imagine.

What’s important is that Kadish viewed himself as the Grower; as the one the Watcher had prophesied about. As a result, he modified the pub to honor, not only the prophet, but himself as well. He seemed t o be intent on fulfilling as many of the prophecies as he could. So he built this puzzling “path of the shell? to the tree, brought the Er’Cana book here (Kadish was the engineer behind its construction), brought the Ahnonay Book here and claimed that it allowed him to travel through time, back to the D’ni home world as it was, as it is, and as it would be (Kadish claimed he wrote the Book). All of these things to fulfill the prophecies. Even the times of D’ni were significant because the Watcher claimed to see visions of the past, present and future. As a result, he wrote what he saw, never knowing if it would occur in the future, had already occurred in the past, or was occurring as he wrote.

People flocked to the place. Not only was it the only way to travel through time, but Kadish himself was the only one who could solve the spiral path of the shell and access the tree. In fact, he would demonstrate his ability to anyone who wanted to come and watch. Nightly challenges were held to see if anyone else could access the room. IT seems no one ever did, further confirmation of Kadish as the Grower.

Kadish bragged that the Watcher clearly spoke of how to solve the room in his prophecies and that anyone could find the solution there. Easy to say when you did build the thing maybe I don’t get something. Either way good luck reading through all of those and figuring out anything, let alone the solution to some kind of weird D’ni puzzle.

So, it seems that Kadish ran the sanctuary up to the end. Obviously, at some point we know he died. We’ve all seen the remains of the poor guy. An odd end for a guy that seemed to have so much ? had a Book right there but didn’t use it. But that’s another story.

Okay, history out of the way and I guess I should finish with this spiral path room. I’m not a big puzzle guy, but the room seems very confusing. A switch closes the door and turns on the light and some mechanism releases the ball back to its starting point. There are numbers scratched into the walls of the maze as well. Enough of that. I can see myself going crazy in a place like this. Ah, the D’ni.

Oddly there is no physical access to/from the city that surrounds the building. We know that building is up in J’taeri ? a nice district ? but there is definitely no way to get in from the outside and vise versa. Not sure if Kadish sealed it up or if it always ways, but I bet the second idea. Makes it handy to limit access ? if you don’t have a Book you’re not getting here. (And that would explain why the Books here were never destroyed or taken.)

That’s it for now. I’ll probably get back here again after checking Er’cana and Ahnonay.

King Adesh monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Adesh

Adesh - Adesh took the throne in 5549 at the age of 49.

Though Adesh was young, it was also said he was mature for his age and took quite a bit of advice from the prophetess Trisari (who had also served his Uncle). Adesh was apparently a religious man but not an especially accepting man.

The prophet Gish arrived on the scene in 5574 and began preaching, similar to what Tevahr had done years earlier. Unlike Tevahr, Gish praised the words of Yahvo, but nothing else. The Great King, he said was a farce, as was Tevahr. He denounced his people for claiming that taygahn* was more important than following Yahvo's commands. He declared that Tevahr and the Great King had used taygahn as an excuse to do what they wanted and it was time to focus on Yahvo's commands again. One of these, he added, was no interaction with the outsiders*. Though Gish was not the first to say such things, for some reason, the public came in droves to listen to him, making him an extremely popular figure*.

Adesh denounced Gish's words at every level and arrested him numerous times. And, by such actions, only encouraged Gish, arguably, making his impact upon the society even larger than what it otherwise would have been.

Gish continued his preaching until, in an apparent fit of rage, Adesh ordered* the Relyimah to kill him. It was said later, the decision was most likely the worst of his reign*. The Relyimah succeeded in their mission in 5675. There was extreme outrage at the King as well as the official church.

Exactly as Gish had taught, Adesh had justified killing a man (strictly against the laws of Yahvo) because he felt there was something more important that was justified because of taygahn. Gish became a martyr and those who followed him increased.

Adesh made attempts to draw his people back but it was too late. There were apprently very few people (even ardent followers of the Great King) who could agree with his decision.

In fact, it was rumored that it was one of Adesh's close advisors who killed him in 5701 at the young age of 201. The throne was left to his first-born son Lanaren.

* The word literally means to "love with the mind", implying having a close, personal knowledge of the other person, or in certain case Yahvo. It had been taught that in order to gain access into the Perfect Age, Yahvo only required such a relationship and nothing else

* From "Yahvo Alone" written by Gish

* Taken from the private journals of Trisari

* Many think it was in fact, Trisari who convinced Adesh to make the order

* From "The Followers" written by Manesh

King Ahlsendar monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Ahlsendar

Ahlsendar (The Great King) - Ahlsendar was 29 and living on a Private Age with his mother when his father was killed. Instead of immediately joining the city, he remained in the Private Age, apparently at the suggestion of his uncle, who had come to inform Ahlsendar of his father's death. With a few advisors who kept him updated, Ahlsendar stayed in the Private Age trying to formulate a plan for the war that was now raging in his city. Meanwhile his Uncle, still a member of the Guild of Linguists, was translating much of the Pento language and learning as as he could about them.

As it turned out, the Judges (with the Pento) claimed control of the D'ni government after the death of Koreen and began to move into other Ages. Ahlsendar, after being briefed by his Uncle on new information, continued to wait. A few weeks later, the waiting appeared to pay off.

Reports came back that the Judges had killed the leader of the Pento for fear he was becoming more powerful and out of control. Unfortunately, the leader had not declared an heir and had left two sons to fight for the throne. This led to civil war within the Pento and a complete lack of focus on the D'ni leaving the Judges empty handed. As well, what forces there were, were spread out to other Ages and no longer fortified in the city. The public apparently knew Ahlsendar was hidiing and with every passing day felt as though the prophecies were coming to fruition.

"Only the stone, while they pass beneath listens to his cries and comfort her fear. Only the Arch welcomes the reign of the great one who guides us." Ahlsendar, they all knew had been born directly under the Arch. "A new people, people of light, will bring great havoc to the dark," as they believed the Pento had done. "He remains hidden, while another sits in his throne," was obvious. While the public waited for him they only grew more willing to fight for him.

Fifteen weeks after the death of his father Ahlsendar entered the city, for the time in his life, with a small force. He sailed directly through the Arch to the palace and reclaimed it with relative ease while directing his soldiers and those who joined with him as they saw him enter the city. Immediately, he established "safe-zones" and eventually informed the Pento that he wished to begin negotiations with the Pento warrior Mekarr*.

Ahlsendar agreed to help Mekarr defeat his brother if, in return, they would return to their home peacefully. Mekarr agreed if Ahlsendar would write them an Age to return to. The deals were signed and in 1376, Ahlsendar led a force to the Pento Age.

It was there, in the Battle of the Great King that Ahlsendar led the defeat of Mekarr's brother Timaue and total victory for D'ni. Mekarr turned over two leaders of the Judges and Ahlsendar found the other three in the city. All five were sent to Prison Ages (and the Books burned). Some in the society had demanded execution, but Ahlsendar had refused. Pregardless, his coronation ceremony took place a few weeks later, and it was said, "not one of D'ni did not attend the event. Our cheering was as loud as thunder and our pride was solid as the Arch through which he sailed..."*

Throughout his reign, Ahlsendar wrote a good number of books of prophecies and encouraged his people to forget about their old homeland and focus on why they came to D'ni; to start again to focus on pleasing Yahvo and to make good and right decisions. To know Yahvo better should be the focus of their lives, he claimed. It was Ahlsendar who brought them back to the attitude they had maintained during the reign of Ri'neref.

During his life, there were numerous rumors abounding about Ahlsendar and special linking abilities. Numerous witnesses claimed that he did not need Linking Books to go from one place to another and numerous others claimed he could link to different spots with an Age. However none of these rumors were ever confirmed.

There were apparently other rumors, much more quiet, which dealt with Ahlsendar and his relations with the prophet Nemiya. Though it seemed Nemiya had great respect for Ahlsendar the same could not be said concerning Ahlsendar's opinion of Nemiya. Apparently, the Great King had little time for her and often found her advice "foolish" and "childish"* when he did consult with her. As a result, it seems Nemiya was rarely seen with the Great King and relegated to "figurehead" role for ceremonies and the like. Perhaps surprisingly, Ahlsendar rarely consulted with any other prophets though he did have the choice.

Unbeknownst to the public who continued to praise him, Ahlsendar was working with the Guilds of Writers and Healers on a plague. It was said that it could be used as a biologicial weapon in case such action was ever needed in the future. As far as the Pento, the link between their Age and D'ni was still open as Ahlsendar insisted on the continuation of resources from the Pento although it appears that some of his associates advised against it.

It was in 1466, that Mekarr came to the Palace through other Books given to him by Judges, and killed Ahlsendar's wife and two sons. Ahlsendar himself killed Mekarr in what records describe as an "astounding battle". Two days later Ahlsendar ordered the release of the plague to the new Pento Age. Apparently his counselors advised against it, but he demanded his orders be carried out.

The plague was released, through records don't specify how, and the entire population of Pento died three days later. Unfortunately, it seems as though most of them realized what was happening and did not die before linking to a number of other Ages and infecting numerous other cultures. The sickness did not affect D'ni although the Guild of Chemists began to fear that it could mutate to something that would.

Once the public became aware of the plague they obviously blamed the Pento for the devastation, as they had no knowledge of the Ahlsendar's participation in the plague. All of the Books to which the Pento had had access were gathered together to be forever destroyed.

Then, in 1500, Ahlsendar gathered his people together to "inform them of the truth". It was in that speech that he told them he had created the plague and then ordered its release. At the end of the speech, he asked to be sealed into the Temple of the Great King (as built by Ja'kreen) with any "infected" Books as well as any Books that linked the D'ni to their past (as he had preached they must completely forget). A year later, Ahlsendar was sealed within the Temple and it was then that the dimensions and the shape of the buildings made sense, as it was required to hold massive amounts of Books.

Solath, Ahlsendar's chosen heir, took temporary charge of D'ni* while the public waited for the Great King's return.

However, after six months had passed, records state that Solath uncovered the final wishes of Ahlsendar and read them publicly. Ahlsendar, he read, "...Was not to return..." and, "...for no reason, should seal on the Temple of the Great King ever be broken". In addition, the note stated that Solath should be "officially designated as permanent King". So convincing was Solath's shock upon reading the note, it was said that the thought of the note being a hoax was never considered*.

Numerous personal journals and government transcripts state the public's disbelief at the statements. Solath himself said "...for how could He leave us in such a state..." Though there were many calls to break the seal of the Temple, a direct command of the Great King was foolish. As well, the Books within the seal were infected Books and, "should not be opened for good reason".*

So, in 1502 the Temple of the Great King was renamed the Tomb of the Great King, upon orders of Solath and he was assumed dead. However most still believed he would return.

* The two brothers were both fighting for control of the Pento and Mekarr felt most strongly his people no longer owed the Judges anything. His brother Timaue felt the opposite

* From "The Great King" written by Leshena in 1399

* "Nemiya's Legacy" written by Teman in 1609.

* Though not done often, it was possible for a King to leave the throne to his successor if he wished to be gone for an extended period of time

* No records point to the note being anything but the true wishes of the Great King, but it is interesting to note that it was never even thought of as a fabricated note

* As spoken by Grand Master Namis of the Guild of Healers to the Council

King Behnashiren monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Behnashiren

Behnashiren - Took the throne in 2070 at the age of 20 (a record that was never surpassed). He was extremely young to inherit the throne and his short reign displayed his immaturity.

It was said that there was never any control or leadership from the throne while Behnashiren sat in it. As a result, the people were forced to look elsewhere for some kind of trust or hope. Most turned to religion, leading to many more factions and cults. Many claimed healing powers either from nature, special leaders, or Yahvo himself, through a variety of different means.

It seems clear that Behnashiren wavered in his stance on just about everything, including religion. In some speeches he begged Yahvo for healing while in others he sought for help from the Tree. In the meantime, he was of no help to the Healers or Chemists, both of which were working hard to find a cure. In fact, some of Behnashiren's speeches point to public condenmation of the Guilds accusing them of "shallow efforts" and "failing their own people". Those who held faith that any cure existed outside of miracles and/or special potions, were few and far between.

The population continued to die and the amount of children born, decreased termendously. Behnashiren himself died in 2193 at the young age of 143 without any descendants to leave the throne to. In fact, so few children were being born that Behnashiren had trouble choosing an heir, even from his own staff*. As a result, he chose his 179 year old Uncle to take the throne after his death. It was later said that some higher power must have been involved in such a choice, as Behnashiren "was far too ignorant to choose an heir that made so much sense."*

* It was often customary to choose the child of a staff member if a King did not wish to choose (or could not) any of his own blood

* Taken from the writings of Grand Master Ishem of the Guild of Legislators.

King Emen monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Emen

Emen - Took the throne in 5081 at the age of 150. Two years after his coronation, two members of the Relyimah mysteriously disappeared and were never seen of again*. Faresh became a silent hero in the key members of the government and the factions were again quieted, knowing they were being watched.

Key members of the government were often seen at parties taking place in Faresh's mansion and rumors of "puzzle rooms" and "secret halls" grew throughout the city. The house itself located on Katha island, was becoming one of the more talked about buildings in the entire cavern*.

In 5093, two members of a cult known as "One D'ni" were proven guilty for the explosion that had occurred years earlier on Meanas. Both were permanently imprisoned.

At the same time, Emen (along with the Guild of Caterers) announced the completion of two new food Ages, one of which was run solely by outsiders, and produced new food sources* that had never been tasted in D'ni before.

The popularity of Faresh's mansion, caused others (mainly elite) to request permission to build on the many islands that surrounded the city proper. In 5095, Emen decided to sell many of the islands that, up to that point, had been government property. Records indicate the sale of over twenty-three of the islands, in one year, to private citizens who could afford their heavy price tag.

In 5102, disaster hit the family of Faresh in the mysterious death of his daughter. Official City Guard records said she awoke in the middle of the night, claiming to see spirits, and jumped from her bedroom window to her death.

Rumors abounded as to the true cause. Some thought the house was haunted while others (mainly government) thought she might have been a target of factions*.

Perhaps the most damaging rumors dealt with the Watcher. In "Words" he had described similar events taking place* and such a public event caused many to begin to study his words again. It was the beginning of philosophical chaos yet again.

Faresh left the house a year after the death of his daughter, claiming to be unable to live with the memories of his daughter. The house was given completely (although no one knew it at the time) to the Relyimah. Rumors of dark shadows in windows and boats silently rowing toward the island fueled the idea that the house was haunted.

It appears that after the Relyimah controlled the house, Emen himself often made visits recommending a number of renovations (tunnels etc...) that he thought would aid them in their cause.

In 5202 a public ferry system was approved by Emen, offering much more frequent access between The Island, the city proper, and the surrounding smaller islands. One of those islands, Emen gave to the Minor Guild of Artists, Musicians, and Actors who turned it into a Cultural Center. In later years the center often hosted outside concerts, plays etc...on the water.

Four years before Emen's death, the Guild of Stone Masons announced "Deretheni"*. The substance had been produced in a laboratory for the first time and was the start of much improved construction techniques.

Emen died in 5240 at the age of 309, leaving the throne to his first-born son.

* This was not public information in around 6000. However, the discovery of the moles was well-known in the highest circles of government

* From "Haunted by her Cries"

* Shimas and Hereas became known for a large variety of fruits and vegetables that naturally grew on each

* From "Haunted by her Cries" written by Haghen in 5120

* Words has numerous references to "dreams" and "mourning in the streets" which many interpreted to describe the death of Faresh's daughter

* Deretheni was a lightweight stone which proved to be extremely strong

King Gan monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Gan

Gan - Took the throne in 2015 at the age of 144. Though he was not necessarily convinced of the greatness of the Great King, or Yahvo for that matter, Gan was far from the despot his father was.

Unfortunately, he was never quite given the chance to do much for his people, as the "sins" of his grandmother consumed his reign in the throne.

Six months after Gan's coronation the first signs of the plague* began to show themselves. Eventually, the Healers would discover that the plague was an evolved version of the disease that Ahlsendar had created to destroy the Pento. The evolved version cut D'ni life spans in half and caused massive infertility. For the elderly and the young, death usually came quickly in the form of heart failure.

The appearance of the plague, and the eventual announcement that it was similar to what the Great King had created, caused the public to cast most of their blame for the illness on the Great King. Very few people knew of Jolatha's request to open the tomb. Those who knew of the breaking of the seal seemed to have not spoken of it, or possibly were not heard if they did. Numerous records indicate that as far as the public was concerned, the plague was the Great King's fault.

Somewhat surprisingly, because of the infertility rates, Gan managed to have a son in 2050. He died twenty years later at the age of 199 after being in the throne for only 55 years (the shortest of any King).

Gan left his son a population that was slowly dying, both physically and emotionally, and there was no cure in sight.

* The Plague ended up killing over a quarter of the D'ni population and cutting birth rates in half, until its cure was found in 2262.

King Hemelin monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Hemelin

Hemelin - Took the throne in 2193 at the age of 179. Hemelin had been a Guild Master in the Guild of Healers and it was said he took the throne "with rage in his heart and fire in his mouth"*. He was extremely angered over public opinion of his Guild and made it his mission to make sure that a cure was found. Some say he exhibited more power and authority in the throne in one week than his nephew had in 123 years.

Hemelin was fairly convinced that a cure lay in the Books of Old and he had been encouraging the Healers to look there long before his coronation as King. However, his nephew had been hesitant to allow access to the books something that immediately changed once Hemelin had authority to look through them.

Hemelin seemed to be a fairly devout follower of Yahvo and often claimed that only Yahvo would heal them, not the "other gods" that his people were seeking. In 2255, Hemelin became extremely ill and most thought was about to die. The Guild of Healers continued to try and prevent death, but the prognosis was very grave.

It was during his days in the sick bed, that he met a woman named Lalen. She helped to care for him and, as time passed, Hemelin found himself "...living just to see her one more time." as he wrote later. Lalen must have felt the same way. The new love seemed to forge a new will to live. Hemelin recovered and, to the day he died, praised Lalen for the reason he was able to defeat the plague*.

Two years later, Lalen helped the rest of the D'ni defeat the plague. Rumors say that while searching through the old histories, that her relationship afforded her access to, she found hints as to where more of the Old Books had been kept. It was a few months later that the Book of Birenni, a particular Book that Hemelin had always sought, was found. Six years after the discovery, the Guild of Healers, led by Guild Master Jaysem, considered the plague cured*. Records point to "tremendous celebration...like had never been seen before"*. A newfound optimism spread throughout the culture and, unofficially, the D'ni Renaissance began. It should also be noted that on this day in 2262, King Hemelin and Lalen wed in a grand ceremony*.

In 2270 the first post-plague child was born and Hemelin promised to give him the throne as a symbolic gesture "...of hope and celebration".

Though Hemelin tried to use the end of the plague as a tool to encourage his people back to Yahvo, it did not seem to succeed. Instead there seemed to be a newfound love of the culture itself: of the arts, of technology, and of further exploration into the "truths" of the universe.

In 2350, The Minor Guild of Miners, following the encouragement of Hemelin, announced their plans for drastic improvement in mining methods and technologies.

Hemelin left an upbeat, but "rather dazed"* culture to his successor when he passed away at the age of 342 in 2356.

* From "The Healing of D'ni" written by Manesah in 2294

* Though others did live through the illness Healer records indicate a 95% fatality rate once the disease reached its later stages

* A drink was developed that prevented the body from contracting the illness even when directly exposed

* From "The Healing of D'ni" written by Manesah in 2294

* As a result, the day became a day often chosen for marriage in later years.

* Taken from the journal of King Hemelin written directly before his death in 2356

King Hinash monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Hinash

Hinash - Hinash took the throne in 2533 at the age of 66.

Hinash's first major accomplishment was the ordering of the construction of the new Guild of Miners' facility. The construction marked the first use of extrusion in construction and work, begun in 2577 and finished in 2580 marked a much faster and more efficient means of building.

Hinash had been a member of the Guild of Stone Masons before his coronation. As such, records point to him being extremely interested in the mining and construction technologies that were being pursued. As well Hinash was one of the strongest proponents for expansion within the cave system.

Though Hinash's push for expansion was not met with much enthusiasm, at the time, it set the foundation for great expansion that would occur under the reign of his sone Needrah, with the sculptor Lahkeer leading the charge.

Hinash was apparently also very interested in pursuing better relationships with other cultures; often pushing for further interaction and increased trade. He not only opened up the rules on trade* and but also pushed the cultural "rules" concerning relationships with those of non-D'ni blood*. In 2709, five years after the death of his first wife who had died giving birth to his fourth son, Hinash married a woman of non-D'ni blood.

The fact that the marriage was met with little opposition was a sign in itself of the relaxing attitude of the people toward the "outsiders".

The affect of such actions upon the culture was grand. Foreign materials were used much more in construction, as well as clothing and jewelry and foreign music and art influence began to show itself in the D'ni art of the day.

It was apparently with some thankfullness that Hinash's second wife did not bear him a son. Though the culture had relaced, it is rather clear that the public did not want to even have to deal with the possibility of non-D'ni blood in the throne. In fact, one author went so far as to say "...even had they bore a child, it would have made for a very uneasy public...to have such a being living with the palace perhaps taking the public's acceptance to far"*.

Hinash died in 2779 at the age of 312 leaving his fourth son to rule.

* There had been strict regularions up to that point concerning imported goods and travel between Ages

* Up to that point, no one, most of all a King dared to marry and outsider

* From "How they Came; A Detailed Look at what started the Mee-Dis War" by Jamen. Written in 7201

King Ishek monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Ishek

Ishek - Took the throne in 4083 at the age of 85. His grandmother had been Shama, and of Ishek it was often said that he ran his throne almost exactly as his Uncle Kedri had.

He was another of the peoples' Kings and refused to separate himself from his people or view himself at a higher level than those he served. It seems a King with such an attitude was not hard to like and his popularity was close to that of Kedri's.

Like Lemashal, he focused on the involvement of non-D'ni and their importance to the D'ni culture and expansion. His powerful words of equality between the D'ni and non-D'ni were truly put to the test in 4103.

Ishek and his wife had been touring a food facility run by natives on the Age of Yimas. As it turns out, the party was ambushed and Ishek's wife was taken by a group of natives who managed, using D'ni Linking Books, to easily escape before Ishek or his guards could react*.

As word leaked out of the event, the words "animals", "uncivilized", and "primitive" were used to describe those of the other worlds in a way that had not been used since the Pento War.

Ishek fought the people's new perception and argued that not all outside cultures should be judged on a few radicals. His words, however were seen as empty by much of the public as he waited for word on his wife.

Word finally came. The Yimas wanted their Worlds to rule, as they felt the D'ni ruled them. They had specific demands for the kind of Worlds, many of which were impossible, as they had no concept of The Art of Writing*. Unless they were given the three Worlds they demanded Ishek's wife was to be executed.

Many viewed Ishek as a faithful study of history and, in particular, the Pento War. Because of his knowledge of history and his belief in the integrity of the Yimas, he was fairly convinced that it was not the Yimas who wanted the Books but some faction of D'ni who was directing them. Rumors say that he was even fairly convinced of the particular faction that was doing it.

As was the case with the Pento War, it had not been the Pento who were to blame, but The Judges who had wrongly sought power. Given Ishek's apparent distrust of some within his own people more than those were not D'ni, he had been a strong supporter of the Relyimah. As it turned out, it was their information that saved him.

There were a number of groups who felt as though D'ni should be completely sealed from the other cultures. One in particular*, had been especially vocal in their opinions especially while Ishek's wife had been held captive, using the tragedy to further their own cause. It was to this group, Ishek apparently directed the Relyimah, ordering them to uncover any information they could.

Three days later, Ishek sent out word that he had no intention of giving the Yimas the Worlds they had asked for. Hours later, Relyimah informants followed two members of the faction Ishek had suspected, to an Illegal Age where his wife was imprisoned.

Once the public received word that it had been once again been their own people directing the operation, records indicate that they were greatly dismayed. Plans were uncovered that indicated the faction was to kill his wife no matter whether the Ages were given or not, to only prove further that outsiders could not be trusted. In fact, it seems as though the public was quickly learning that it was their own blood who could not be trusted. As Ri'neref and the Great King had said, it was a great power they had been entrusted with and "...it is our own hearts that must be watched...a temptation too great to be resisted without strict rules or willing hearts..."*.

As a result, there was a great push for more strict guidelines for interaction with other Ages as well as rules for the Ages themselves. "They sought the rules not because the other cultures were savages, but because our culture could not be trusted to deal with them honorably."*

Ishek passed away in 4291 at the age of 293 leaving the debates to his first-born son.

* Taken from City Guard records

* Taken from transcripts of Grand Master Jaken's, of the Guild of Writers, speech to Ishek

* Depending on sources, two different groups are credited with the kidnapping although Relyimah records indicate that it was a group known as Blood of Yahvo. Other records indicate it was a group known as Light of D'ni.

* Taken from the Book One of the Great King

* From "How They Came; A Detailed Look at what started the Mee-Dis War" by Jamen. Written in 7201

King Ja'kreen monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Ja'kreen

Ja'kreen - Ja'kreen took the throne in the year 555 at the age of 80. By the time of his coronation, he had already reached the rank of Guild Master in the Guild of Stone Masons.

It was Ja'kreen who first publicly stated plans to re-build the King's Arch*. In 598, headed by Guild Master Koris of the Guild of Stone Masons, design of the Arch was begun. In 600 construction started and in 625* the Arch was completed. It was a day of great celebration as it marked their first century on Earth and because of the prophecies, allowed for the passage of the Great King. As a result from the time of its completion onward, all Kings sailed through the Arch as part of their coronation ceremony.

As construction of the Arch was underway Ja'kreen planned for construction of the Temple of the Great King. Specifications for the building were recorded in ancient prophecies* and Ja'kreen made sure that each was followed through to the last span. Construction was finished in 643.

It should be noted that at the time of construction there were apparently quite a few people who questioned the dimensions of the building, calling them "rather odd" and "exorbitant". However, Ja'kreen would hear nothing of their complaints and, in fact managed to anger quite a few of those who worked on the Temple during its construction* Once the temple was complete, Ja'kreen ordered the transfer of the gold throne from the Temple that Ri'neref had built to the new Temple of the Great King.

In 654, Ja'kreen's wife gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, the boy only lived for ten years before dying of a rare disease*. It was not 10 years after the death of the boy that Ja'kreen's wife passed away, also at a young age. The tragedies seemed to have had a devastating affect on Ja'kreen and in his later years he was known to be easily angered and extremely harsh.

He remarried in 700 and his second wife gave birth to a son 17 years later, followed by two daughters. Records speak of accusations of abuse toward his children though nothing was ever proven. Regardless of whether or not there was abuse, it seems he was never able to get over the death of his son and first wife. As one of the prophetesses who advised him wrote in her journals, "He never seemed to really love or appreciate any of them..." though he did leave the throne to the oldest of the them.

It was Ja'kreen who encouraged further private construction for The Island in 775, including the J'Taeri District. He named the high-class district after his first son who had died 111 years earlier.

Ja'kreen died of natural consequences in 812 at the age of 337. It was often said that Ja'kreen died a very sad and unsatisfied man.

* The King's Arch was modeled after a similar design on Garternay. It was prophesied that the Great King would be "welcomed" by the Arch and so its construction was obviously seen as very important

* Because D'ni numbers are base 25, the year 625 was very significant

* Most were taken from the Regelkavok of Oorpah

* As recorded in Guild of Stone Masons' records

* It is not known what the disease was. Records only indicate extremely high temperatures and extremely sore and brittle bones

King Ji monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Ji

Ji - Took the throne in 4438 at the very young age of 36. The combination of an apparently immature and weak King, along with the tension that was growing within D'ni over the outsiders and religious principles, went down in history as a bad one.

At the start of his reign, government records say Ji was overtaken with his new palace life and the luxuries it afforded him. "He seemed much more concerned with what kind of food he would be served for breakfast than whether or not D'ni should pull back all of its people who were living in outside Ages, as some were suggesting," wrote one anonymous author.

Because of his apparent lack of concern over the real issues, it was the Grand Masters who quickly became the most frustrated with Ji. It was said by a few Grand Masters, in private journals, that Ji would whole-heartedly agree with them, while they presented their strategies and plans, and then agree with their challengers an hour later.

The indecision by Ji made for little evidence of progress and complete frustration for most of D'ni. For the first time in many years, the signs of division began to appear as they had during the 2500's. The once unified religious beliefs shows signs of splitting, the once unified classes began to separate into rich and poor, and the once confident "Rulers of Worlds" began to wonder whether they could rule even themselves.

Adding to the confusion, were the words of The Watcher. The Watcher, as he had come to be called, was the child who had been born between Ages and now, rumors said, had the ability to see beyond time, past, present, and future.

In 4500 he wrote "Words", a 625-line volume describing his visions of D'ni. Much of the book dealt with a great destruction of D'ni that would one day occur, and the signs that would come with that destruction. Many claimed that the book was seizing upon the chaos of the day and dismissed it as rubbish, while others seemed to be rather intrigued.

Also in 4500, Guild Master Kinef of the Guild of Legislators brought forth a proposal that would allow the use of private education separate from the Guilds. Although many seemed frightened of the idea, as education and the Guilds had always been thought of as inseparable*, the proposal eventually passed by a slim margin*. Ji seemingly had little to say on the proposal one-way or the other.

Ji was married in 4502 to Milane, a woman who had been married three previous times. It was Ji's first, and the prophetess advising him had strongly spoken against it. The marriage lasted twenty-five years before ending, and marked the first time any King had divorced one of his wives.

Ji remarried in 4565 to a woman 100 years younger, something culturally excepted. It was the rumors that she was a daughter of The Watcher that created problems. She denied the claim but did show quite a bit of interest in his writings and convinced Ji to do the same.

The marriage lasted until 4645 when Ji's wife vanished. Some said outsiders had taken her* (since nothing had been resolved concerning them), others said Ji had murdered her*, and others said she had returned to her father, The Watcher (even though the Watcher died in 4606)*.

Ji's final wife was one of his own prophetesses he had sought for advice, making another first for a King. The two were married until Ji's death in 4692. He left the throne to the third son of a close friend. He was 290 years old.

To sum up Ji's reign, one author wrote, "There was a collective sign of relief throughout the cavern on that day he finally left us."*

* As spoken by Kinef during debates to the Council in 4500

* It seems private education never really received near the admiration and respect from the public and thus never truly succeeded

* Common among those still wanting more strict guidelines pertaining to outside involvement

* One of Ji's gardeners claimed he witnessed the murder with his own eyes

* Though the Watcher was believed to have died in 4606 there were numerous rumors of people claiming to have seen him and talked to him

* Taken from a recently discovered manuscript that was apparently never published

King Jaron monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Jaron

Jaron - Took the throne in 6284 at the age of 83.

He was apparently much like his father, more interested in keeping everyone happy than declaring one side of the debates concerning philosophy, advancement, or outside involvement right or wrong.

As a result, though the people were satisfied there was further division among them. The elite and poor became more divided and though there was quite a bit of new construction and renovation in both the elite and poor districts, there was nothing done to join the two.

For some reason, Jaron was obsessed with expansion and exploration of the cavern. There were rumors his obsession stemmed from Watcher prophecies; one in particular stated, "because of tunnels D'ni has changed forever." Jaron never said what drove him but thoughout his reign he pushed the Guild of Miners, Mechanists, Engineers, and Surveyors to work together to create new drills and machinery. He had great plans to widen the Rudenna Passage which when opened, would allow for further expansion.

In 6430, the announcement came. Rock Biter and The Burrower were both christened in a great ceremony and then immediately put to work. Stone Tooth and Stone Eater, were used for further city expansion.

The once violent factions that had existed were, for the most part, dissolving. Many of their members were seemingly beginning to call themselves Followers of Yahvo (as Gish had been), and though they did not support outside involvement, they believed it was best to obey Yahvo and hope for a peaceful solution. Though Jaron carried out a few meetings with the factions, the dissolution of the factions had little to do with his policies or leadership. Regardless, he was able to focus on mining efforts without consequences. It was a luxury the previous Kings had not been afforded and the main reason some of the greatest expansion in D'ni history began under Jaron.

Jaron himself died in 6498 at the age of 298. Though he did see the completion of the expansion of the Rudenna Passage, he never saw the new areas to which the passage led. He left the throne to his third son.

King Kedri monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Kedri

Kedri - Took the throne in 3654 at the age of 80. Kedri, himself, was seen by many as a testament to the type of woman his mother had been. The day of Kedri's coronation was the proudest moment of Shama's life, she often said, up until the day she passed away in 3689.

Whether or not they agreed with Kedri's decisions (it seems most did), there was seemingly hardly a single D'ni who did not greatly respect and care for Kedri. He was a king for the people and, most historian agree was the most popular King of D'ni history besides the Great King.

Kedri led a number of small proposals that often benefited the lower classes. At the same time, it seems, he assured the higher classes that the proposals were the right thing to do.

Up to that point, The Island had basically been set aside for the elite. It was Kedri who established the district of Shamathen (later changed to Kerath'en) as a "more affordable" residential district.

Kedri also donated his own Age of the Kings written during the reign of his grandfather, to the Common Library. He directed money to massive renovation projects throughout D'ni including further additions to the Great Temple, the Opera House, and further renovations to Belari, the deteriorating district that Rakeri had started years earlier.

In the numerous books and journals written about Kedri, it is said that he often walked the streets of D'ni and attended events with the rest of his people, as though he were one of them.

He married in 3686 at a public ceremony that was open to all who wished to attend. As one writer said of the event, "if you did not want to be there, you did not want to be D'ni...".

Kedri eventually passed away in 3903 at the age of 329, leaving the throne to his first-born son.

King Koreen monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Koreen

Koreen - Took the throne in 1159 at the age of 50. Koreen was the older of Mararon's two sons and the two brothers were apparently close. His younger brother was a Guild Captain in the Guild of Linguists and the two remained close for much of Koreen's reign.

In 1159 when he took the throne, it would have been impossible to forecast the turbulent string of events that would start during his reign and not end for some years later.

His grandfather had been an extremely religious man though not everyone had agreed with his theologies. There were, in fact, a number of groups who had strongly disagreed with Veesha and though Mararon had not done anything to affend them, during the reign of Koreen they sought to make their own causes more widely known. The most dangerous of those groups was known as the Judges of Yahvo*. Though they had existed for some time, it was in 1303 that they began to make a name for themselves.

It all seems to have begun when a writer mysteriously left the Guild of Writers in 1303. A few days later, Book and Ink went missing from the respective Guilds. Koreen ordered tightened security on the Guilds, as well as a massive search for the vanished writer but all to no avail.

Unbeknownst to Koreen, the Judges, led by the man Airis, were writing illegal Ages in an attempt to create a race they could control and force to go to war for them. In 1320, the Pento Age was written and the Judges had what they needed.

It was in 1323, with his wife about to give birth to his first son, that Koreen's palace was attacked by a group of Judges, along with warriors from the Age of Pento. Koreen ordered his family out of the palace, as it was quickly being overtaken, and together they traveled to the other side of the city where a special Linking Book was waiting for them.

While traveling through the King's Arch, rumors say, that Koreen's wife gave birth to his first son, Ahlsendar.

Koreen continued to live in the city although his family stayed at a secret Private Age. The city grew more and more dangerous as the Judges began to destroy more of the city and kill more of its citizens. Koreen poured money into the City Guard as well as the small military of the day, although it seemed too little to late.

In 1352, Koreen was assassinated by a group of Pento warriors being led by Judges. The city was thrown into complete chaos.

* Known as the RegolantantEok (Judges) the sect believed they were to exercise Yahvo's judgment on those who could not truly understand him as they did.

King Lanaren monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Lanaren

Lanaren - Lanaren took the throne in 5701 at the age of 98. Lanaren had not been close to his father and, as a result, was not much like him. It was rumored that it was because of Lanaren that Adesh's own advisor had killed Adesh; he knew Lanaren would give the people what they wanted.

Lanaren immediately denounced the actions of his father in killing Gish and informed the public of the existence of the Relyimah, their involvement in the death of Gish and promised to rid them from all government activities. The announcement was a shock to the public and a huge blow to those who had served the Relyimah. Most ended up living in hidden Private Ages while a few were murdered, after their years of service to the government*.

The loss of the Relyimah again gave the factions hope that they would be able to carry out their "demonstrations" again. However Lanaren also promised to rid outsider involvement, meaning the factions had no need for such acts. It's believed that the promise was not one that Lanaren necessarily meant to keep, but instead one he intended to pretend he was trying to meet to keep the factions happy.

He also believed whole-heartedly in the plan to build a tunnel to The Island and was able to push it through in 5714, as Me'emen had not been able to. While Stone Tooth was busy digging, Lanaren promised that it's next task would be to continue expansion by the Ashem'en District with eventual plans to create new residential and cultural districts.

Lanaren also ordered the Major Guilds to begin work on replacing all Ages that required outsider involvement. He demanded Ages that would carry out the same tasks but without outside involvement. Most Guild Masters knew the plan would take years and years, and though they did not agree with it, agreed to attempt it*.

In 5721 new techniques were developed to incorporate structural reinforcement in extrusion based construction, some that would aid construction of the districts Lanaren had promised.

In 5734, the tunnel connecting The Island with the city proper was canceled. Stone Tooth had been working on it for over twenty years but the Guild Masters who were already required by Lanaren to replace a huge number of Ages, were not about to connect their homes on The Island with the city proper*. Lanaren agreed, as there were further concerns that such construction could affect the lake level or even teh algae within the lake*.

Instead Stone Tooth was ordered to begin clearing out more space next to the Ashem'en District.

In 5856 construction was begun on the new Lanaren District. Stone Tooth was ordered to begin further exploration of the cavern by way of new tunnels.

In 5902, the Guilds announced four new Ages* to replace some of those being used by outsiders. The announcement meant little, except to have the factions believe that eventaully outside involvement would be finished.

5903 marked the first inhabitants of the Lanaren District, morely manual laborers who worked in the adjoining Ahsem'en.

The Relyimah were officially finished with their work in 5986. The announcement was fairly quiet, as most of their work had ceased long before that.

In 5999, Lanaren passed away at very old age of 396. He left the throne to his fifth, and youngest, son.

* From "Revealing the Unseen" written by Besharen in 5999

* From the private journals of Grand Master Keman of the Guild of Legislators

* From "The Lost Tunnel" written by Lashem in 6034

* The environmental damage claimed by Lanaren and D'ni environmentalists, was never proven. Most agree it was an easy way out for Lanaren who then did not have to admit he was bullied by the Grand Masters who lived on The Island

* Three of the Ages were Food Ages while the fourth was meant to replace one of the major manufacturing Ages. In reality, none of them were ever used to the extent the Ages they were replacing had been used

King Lemashal monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Lemashal

Lemashal - Took the throne in 3903 at the age of 100. Lemashal had been fairly involved in the Minor Guild of Actors, although it was said that what especially interested Lemashal was illusion. Up to that point, there had been a few different "magic clubs" although nothing official.

So, in 3961 Lemashal, with quite a bit of trouble, forced the establishment of the Minor Guild of Illusionists. It was not a Guild that most found necessary but, Lemashal argued, that neither was the Guild of Actors, Painters, or Musicians; it was entertainment, of which illusion was a valid form*. Ironically, it was later discovered that the establishment of the Guild was an illusion in itself.

While the Guild was debated*, Lemashal established an undercover intelligence force to keep track on the more dangerous factions and sub-groups of D'ni. They were a highly secretive group, of which the public had little or no knowledge, until years later. And so with the confirmation of the Guild of Illusions, the Relyimah (literally trans. "The Unseen") were also established.

Though the previous few Kings had been fairly focused on D'ni and expanding their own culture and territory, Lemashal again looked toward the outside cultures in a manner that had not been seen since Hinash. In 3975 he remarried (as his first wife had passed away at a young age) to an outsider. Unlike Hinash, who had also married and outsider, Lemashal and his new wife bore a son (his first) twenty years later, in 3995, and another son in 4014.

For the first time, the D'ni were truly confronted with their views on outside cultures and the arguments were said to have started as soon as Lemashal's son was born, as to whether or not he would be allowed to someday rule as King.

Unfortunately, though Lemashal led quite a few efforts to supply better lives for other cultures, along with freer trade and sharing of resources with other Ages, the remaining years of his reign were dominated by whether or not his son would be allowed to reign.

To Lemashal's credit, though he could have forced his will, concerning his son, upon his people, he never did. If his son were to eventually reign, he said, "It will only be over a people who want him to".

In 4030, the Council decided a King had to be of pure D'ni blood. Lemashal signed the decision into law the following year.

When he died in 4083, he left the throne to the youngest child of his cousin, whose mother had been the younger sister of his father Kedri.

* Taken from a speech to the Council arguing for the establishment of the Guild

* Lemashal did not need Council approval to establish the Guild. Though many Kings preferred Council approval, it was said later that Lemashal purposely wanted the debates to take place as a distraction

King Loshemanesh monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Loshemanesh

Loshemanesh - Took the throne in 4291 at the age of 123. Though Loshemanesh's reign was relatively short, it is believed he made the most of the years he was given.

Loshemanesh had seen first-hand the affects of too much interaction with other cultures and because of that held firmly to his views disagreeing with what was becoming the majority view in D'ni. He often pointed out, as his father also had, that before the Pento War strict regulations had existed on interaction with other cultures and it did nothing to stop the Judges from their writings. Loshemanesh himself stated, "Those who wish to take advantage of outside Ages and peoples can not be stopped...must first be listened to within D'ni...not forced to take such exteme measures. ...When extreme measures are taken the consequences must be increased."*.

In 4305 law was passed stating that creation or trading of illicit Ages was punishable by premanent imprisonment on solitary Prison Ages a fate that some said was worse than death. In 4307 Loshemanesh passed (barely) another law stating that any D'ni who coerced an outsider to commit a crime (no matter what the crime) was also punishable by permanent imprisonment.

While the laws were passed, Loshemanesh encouraged further interaction with the other cultures, while continuing to argue interaction itself was not the problem. However, it seems as though many failed to see his stance and still pushed for stricter measure on the Guild of Writers and a complete sealing off of any interaction with outsiders.

In 4334, the Age of Trases (a major mining Age) was halfway destroyed because of the mistake of a native running D'ni machines that had been established there. Families were forced to evacuate and, in one particularly odd case supposedly a child was born while the mother had been linking from Trases back to D'ni. Regardless, the destruction of the Age was another cause of argument for those who wished to seal themselves off and a case that Loshemanesh argued could have happened regardless of who was running the machine.

Sadly, in 4438 Loshemanesh was assassinated by the same faction who had kidnapped his mother years earlier, making his life an example of what he had often preached; it was the D'ni who had to change. If they did not, he had argued problems would always exist, whether or not outsiders were involved.

He left the throne to the first-son of his younger brother, as he had no childern of his own.

* Taken from a public speech explaining his signing of the laws

King Mararon monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Mararon

King Mararon took the throne in 997 at the age of 73, exactly twenty years after emerging from his long coma. From various speeches and writings, it's obvious Mararon placed a strong value on life. Through his 162 years in power it seems he did all he could to emphasize that same value to his people, as well as make the most of his own.

It seems that a main concern of Mararon was the D'ni education system. The fact that so many of his own people were falling by the wayside apparently upset him quite a bit. So, in 1124 when Ti Lanar (a Guild Master of the Guild of Legislators) submitted his paper "Minor Guilds" Mararon was in immediate agreement with what it said. In the paper, Ti Lanar wrote '...we are creating a group of people who have no understanding of the D'ni and the strength of our blood. There is the relatively small percentage of those who learn and keep our traditions through the Guilds, and a growing population of fools...'

Mararon, following suggestions within the paper, placed the Common Schools under the Guild of Legislators and began major renovations of that system, including higher standards for instructors and longer workdays. Mararon also raised the time in the Common Schools from six years (age 10 to 16) to fifteen years (age 5 to 20). From there instead of entering back into society, as had been the case, students could enter one of the new Minor Guilds that had been proposed by Ti Lanar, and accepted by Maracon. The first of these Guilds included Architecture (a branch of the Guild of Stone Masons), Miners, and Educators, and Bankers among others.

While not pushing education, Mararon was focused on his own life, making sure that he was living it o the fullest. Most historical documents point to addictions to hallucinogenic drinks and various drugs. As well, it seems he carried out numerous affairs, prompting him to throw out the rules that his father had written regarding marriage and adultery. One particular records shows of affairs with prophetesses although both the prophetesses and the religious community vehemently denied it*.

The public said little of Mararon's shortcomings, choosing to focus more on the benefits he had brought them than the negatives. He died at the fairly early age of 235 in 1159 from natural consequences. Most expected the early death from his drinking and smoking, although many say it was somehow related to his coma years earlier.

* Any relationship between the King and his prophetess was extremely looked down upon as both people were expected to remain objective with one another and the people.

King Me'erta monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Me'erta

Me'erta - Took the throne in 1779 at the young age of 31.

There were multiple leaders, many of them from the Church, who publicly feared that the appointment of Me'erta would cause great damage to the already fragile religious culture. Their fears appear to have been justified, as Me'erta's reign was a turbulent one. In fact it was often stated that it was his mother Jolatha who ruled the throne for most of Me'erta's 236 years in power. "Me'erta himself had no time to rule D'ni, he was much too busy too focused on satisfying the women who ruled him..."*

In 1817 Me'erta proposed construction of the Temple of the Tree marking the first time any King officially supported anything other than the original beliefs of Ri'neref. Just as important, Me'erta suggested that the line of the Great Zero (which had been chosen by Ri'neref) was inaccurate*. However, he did not officially change the line. He most likely realized such a change would have carried far too many implications upon the society concerning construction, navigation, etc...His goals (or Jolatha's) in such a remark were simply to question the beliefs of Ri'neref and encourage the cults to build in a newer section of the city. His remarks were all that were needed. The Temple was built, with strong opposition from some, in 1843. A few years later, Me'erta sanctioned the consctruction of the Temple of Water, and the Temple of the Sacred Stone. Both were finished in 1876, and 1902 respectively. All were built on Me'erta's recommended line of the Great Zero.

As the years passed, cults sprang up everywhere, wreaking havoc on the religious beliefs the D'ni once had. The Temple of Yahvo was empty and its priests and prophets were small in number, as many had left to pursue other beliefs.

In 1975, Me'erta attempted to change the rules and restrictions of the Writer's Guild including altering their oath. He claimed his proposals would leave them more "flexible" in their writing and allow the D'ni "to do more".

However, the proposal was met with staunch resistance from Grand Master Tremal who adamantly opposed the King and, as the records show, refused to change the oath that Ailesh had written. As it turns out, the refusal cost Tremal his life, many say on order from Jolatha. Years later, many viewed Tremal's refusal as one of the most heroic deed of D'ni history*. If those rules and oaths had changed many believed, as Tremal had, the path to Terahnee would not have been long behind. "And that is why we exist," wrote Tremal.

Once Tremal was found dead, the Writer's Guild as a whole, refused to change the proposed changes in the oath and regulations in support of their fallen comrade. Eventually, Jolatha through Me'erta, gave up trying.

By far, Jolath's most destructive action came the year of her death. In 1999 she convinced her son to break the seal on the Tomb of the Great King. Whey she wished for such an action is not clear, although numerous possibilities were proposed years later.

Though few in number, there were still some who believed the Great King would return and Jolatha was infuriated at any power the Great King had. She possibly wanted to prove once and for all that he was dead, an imposter, and fool. Others wrote that she was interested in gaining acess to some of the Ancient Books, as the Tree believed they held special power. Still others said she was simply mad while others claimed she was possessed and an agent of Jakooth*. Regardless, the seal was broken.

The act was carried out in secret, in the dead of night, as even those who opposed the Great King would have such an action blasphemous and dangerous. A number of Books were taken from the Tomb and placed in the Temple of the Tree, along with what Joatha claimed was a piece of the robe from the body of the dead King.

Jolatha died two days later, from an unknown illness, while the Books she had taken out remain in the Temple of the Tree. Me'erta quietly ordered the Tomb sealed again (and much stronger). It was said that Me'erta believed his mother had been cursed for entering the grave and he himself, was petrified of it, or any mention of the Great King in the later years of his life.

Me'erta, known as an unfaithful man, died 15 years later with one of his lovers. Guild of Healer's records indicated massive poisoning as the cause of his death. He was 267. His murderer was never discovered although there were numerous suspects. Though he had many enemies, most agreed it was either his wife for obvious reasons, or son, who despised his father's weaknesses and lack of judgement. Ironically, it was that son, his oldest, whom he left the throne too.

* From the journals of the Prophetess Aleshay

* Precedent existed for such a claim. On previous Ages, the line of the Great Zero could either point from the Great Zero itself toward magnetic North (as Ri'neref had chosen) or toward another prominent landmark (as Me'erta suggested it should have been).

* Grand Master Temas of the Guild of Writers in a speech to the Five Lords in 7034

* Jakooth was the equivalent of the devil in the D'ni religion

King Needrah monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Needrah

Needrah - Took the throne in 2779 at the age of 75.

Needrah had been a member of the Minor Guild of Sculptors at the same time as the great sculptor Lahkeer, and as a result the two were excellent friends. As Needrah took the throne Lahkeer, who was four years younger, was starting to be recognized. Those who had seen his work were already claiming him as one of the greatest artists D'ni had ever seen* even though most had never heard his name.

Needrah had always been a proud supporter of cave expansion and once he gained the throne made it his mission to make sure that his people felt the same way.

Needrah's three older brothers were very close to him, and in fact, took the role of his closest advisors. Each was a Guild Master, the oldest with the Guild of Miners, the second with the Guild of Stone Masons, and the third with the Minor Guild of Architects. Because of their positions, each ended up having a great affect on the accomplishments of Needrah.

Most of the evidence supports the fact that it was not Needrah's persuasive speeches or motivational abilities alone that pushed the expansions, but also the fantastic skill and talent of Lahkeer. He only needed one chance to prove his skill to the public and Needrah gave him that opportunity in 2807 with the design for a monument to the discovery of the Book of Birenni. After that, Lahkeer along with Needrah and his brother presented a plan for a new residential district. From that point forward it seems as though expansion could not have have been stopped even if someone had tried.

Throughout the 221 years of Needrah's reign four new districts were begun including the residential Jaren, the elite of the elite districts Kaleh, the business district of Kali and the industrial district (managing importation and manufacturing of foreign goods) Nehw'eril District.

In 2916, the Guild of Mechanists announced industrial extrusion, allowing for further improvements in construction methods including "uni-structural"* buildings.

Needrah passed away in the year 3000 at the age of 296. He had two daughters, but no sons of his own to give the throne. Instead he chose the oldest son of his brother to succeed.

* From "The Man from J'Taeri" by Kimal. Written in 3243

* Instead of joining of blocks that had been used up to that point, uni-structural consctruction allowed for the "wearing of different stone, almost like a sweater", as one historian described it, making it appear as a single seamless piece of stone

King Rakeri monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Rakeri

Rakeri - Took the throne in 3000 at the age of 81. In the same year of Rakeri's coronation ceremony, a man by the name of Tevahr was born. Beginning in 3077, many say he defined Rakeri's reign more than Rakeri himself*.

Tevahr was an ardent follower of the Great King and spent his entire growing up studying the King's teachings and words. By the time he was sixty-five he was apparently appalled at the state of his people, especially pertaining to religious matters. Though he began on a small scale, in a matter of years, Tevahr became one of the most influential men in D'ni history.

He was a powerful leader, a gifted speaker, and a tremendous motivator and by 3077, a well-known name. It was 3077 that Tevahr publicly denounced the sects and his people's (including the government's) lack of faith in the principles and laws of Yahvo that they were founded upon. He often pointed to the Council Chamber (and other government structures) that now covered the Tomb of the Great King as a symbol of what the hearts and souls of D'ni had become. "There is no longer time for religion as government and power have stolen our love," he stated numerous times. Most of the public seemed to agree with Tevahr, especially concerning the Tomb of the Great King and its covering; they believed they should never have allowed it to happen.

Although not remembered as a great event in itself, most historians agreed that credit should be given to Rakeri's reaction to the teachings of Tevahr. Rakeri, at first, was infuriated at Tevahr's speeches and his apparent disapproval of the culture. In return he denounced Tevahr and his teachings, and even threatened to have him imprisoned.

In 3081, Rakeri supposedly attended one of Tevahr's speeches in an effort to ridicule it and give the other side to the public. Instead he ended up in a public debate with Tevahr. According to witnesses, it was a debate that Tevahr clearly won*. Though Tevahr handled the debate with the King as best he could, at times his words were rather harsh; words to which the King had no response, and ended up bringing quite a bit of ridicule upon himself instead of Tevahr. However, instead of ordering Tevahr's death, which he probably could have done, he returned to his palace and thought about what he had heard*.

Five days later, Rakeri personally invited Tevahr to the palace and later that same day announced that he had chosen Tevahr as his main prophet* and asked forgiveness from his people for the wrongs, not only of himself, but of the Kings before him. Those who personally witnessed the speech of King Rakeri left the event transformed*. It was not long until their personal transformations, began to change the entire culture.

By 3100, six hundred years after government records showed 2500 registered sects, there were forty-seven sects in existence. Only ten of those sects' membership was greater than five hundred. The public seemed to return again to the beliefs their culture had been founded upon, those that Ri'neref had taught and the Great King had expanded upon.

The people were again unified and much work was done to join the classes of rich and poor that by that time, had already begun to separate. There was major renovation of deteriorating districts (mostly poor) and construction of a new Theatre Company and Concert Hall in the Belari District, what had been one of the poorer districts in the entire city.

In 3112, Rakeri announced, with Tevahr by his side, plans for grand renovations (an almost complete reconstruction) of the Great Temple. Rakeri also announced that the old line of the Great Zero was accurate and should be honored again.

The Temple itself was to take advantage of handheld extruder technology that had been developed in 3092. As well as the great artist Fahlee* was to paint the inside of the Temple. As it turned out it was Fahlee's final masterpiece as he passed away in 3123, six months after the completion of the Temple.

For the remaining years of Rakeri's reign expansion continued both outside and inside the cavern. New mining technology was seemingly announced annually, bringing with it great prestige to the relatively new formed Major Guild of Miners.

Tevahr passed away at the young age of 218 in 3218. Rakeri was so greatly disturbed at his passing that he ordered five days of national sadness. There were minor protests from a few of the still remaining sects (who obviously did not follow the order) but for the most part D'ni mourned with Rakeri over the loss of the prophet.

Rakeri died a year after Tevahr at the age of 300, leaving the throne to his first-born son Tejara.

* From "Yahvo's Voice" written by Adesh in 3143

* Many witnesses' testimonies of the event are chronicled in "Yahvo's Voice".

* According to the Prophetess Shama, Rakeri was greatly affected by the words. He refused to speak to anyone for two days following the debate.

* Though women usually took the roles of Prophets, the choice of Tevahr was one that no one argued. Shama herself was said to be thrilled that Tevahr's wisdom was being sought.

* From "Yahvo's Voice" written by Adesh in 3143

* Considered by most to be the greatest artist of the D'ni Renaissance

King Rikooth monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Rikooth

Rikooth - Took the throne in 6498 at the age of 56. Though young, he had two older brothers and a sister, with whom, it was said, he often consulted. They each understood the logic of giving the throne to the youngest son (it guaranteed more time in the throne for the individual) and worked well with their younger brother, as no other family had done previously*.

Rikooth's first major decision came in 6510 when a new cavern was found by the expeditions led by Rock Biter and The Burrower. There were calls to expand the city, but Rikooth was apparently unconvinced it was a smart plan. His older brother, who happened to be Guild Master of the Guild of Surveyors, agreed to study the cavern extensively and Rikooth promised to make a decision upon reading results of the study.

In the meantime, Rikooth married in 6556 to a woman name Hisha. Her father was Grand Master of the Guild of Chemists and a strong believer in Gish and the fallacy of the Great King.

Though Hisha had some influence on Rikooth, he continued in the tradition of his fathers never publicly stating his views on philosophy. However, she had much more influence on the three sons that they would eventually have together, including the youngest Kerath. It was her influence that would change D'ni forever*.

In 6601 extremely detailed reports (structural analysis, water supply, rock type, etc...) came back informing Rikooth that though the newly discovered cavern was habitable it would be very expensive to build in. Rikooth made the decision, after conferring with his advisors that Stone Tooth, along with the new Rock Biter, should begin digging out more of the city proper (into the cave wall) for expansion while Burrower and Stone Eater would continue to tunnel past the cavern.

In 6676, Rikooth met with leaders to discuss the involvement of outsiders. Though there had been no major incidents for hundreds of years it was still an issue to be discussed. In the meetings it became apparent that though Rikooth understood the reasons for wishing to close down interaction with outsiders, it was a ridiculous thought. Their contribution to D'ni culture, art, construction, technology, and resources, was immeasurable. Unless there were grand reasons not to, there was no way, he argued, that he would ever force strict resolutions regarding the outsiders*.

In his older years it appeared as though Rikooth became tired of Hisha and her views and opinions. She was expelled from the palace along with Kerath in 6700. It was well known that Kerath was a model of his mother's thoughts and Rikooth could hardly stand him*.

Though Rikooth had chosen an older brother of Kerath to be King, his thoughts were changed. As the legends told, Rikooth was on his own death bed staring out toward the Arch and he saw his son, Kerath sailing through it. He was riding in a boat in the shape of a massive lizard standing proudly on it's prow and had come home to announce the death of his mother. As he sailed through the Arch, Rikooth apparently felt the hand of Yahvo, directing him to make Kerath the next King of D'ni.

By the end of Rikooth's reign the city was larger than ever, the classes were more divided than ever, and the religious beliefs were as divided as ever. Though there were not a large variety of beliefs, there was no clear majority of people who believed any one thing.

Rikooth passed away in 6731 at the age of 289 leaving the throne to his third son, Kerath. He left him a city that was larger than it had ever been, and fairly evenly divided in its views of the future.

* Years later it would be a forceful argument for council ruling

* From "The Last King" written by Yemas in 7002

* From "How They Came; A Detailed Look at what started the Mee-Dis War" by Jamen. Written in 7201

* From "The Last King" written by Yemas in 7002

King Solath monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Solath

Solath - Solath took the throne in 1502 at the age of 79. It should be noted that at his coronation ceremony Solath was given a newly designed crown. Ahlsendar had retained his own and it was common opinion among the D'ni that such a crown should not be worn again.

It should also be stated that Solath's father had been the Grand Master of the Guild of Writers and had helped Ahlsendar create the Book that was responsible for the plague. Why Ahlsendar chose Solath in particular he never stated.

Regardless, Solath inherited a fairly stable culture although one that was on the fringe of religious anarchy. The greatest leader of their time had left them and they were a lost people without him to guide them. There were going to be repercussions although it's doubtful anyone had sensed that they would occur so quickly most of all Solath.

It was in 1520 that the prophet Nemiya (who had been the Great King's own advisor) wrote The Book of Nemiya and sent the culture into religious upheaval. The book denounced the words of the Great King, calling him a fraud and an imposter, and gave logical arguments to each of his writings. "He killed thousands...betrayed us... and left us with no one to guide us...why do we believe his words...and expect him to still return..." the book stated.

At first there was outrage at the writings and Nemiya was declared a fool and a heathen, most loudly by King Solath who also apparently took offense to the writing. In 1527 Nemiya vanished, some said killed by an angry mob and others said taken away by angels.

Regardless, by 1550 there was growing sentiment that Nemiya's book carried some truth. There was a growing tide of disharmony within the people and there was nothing Solath could do to stem it. Those who had always thought the Great King would return were beginning to understand that he would not, and they were beginning to grow angrier at the way he had left them. Suddenly, there were numerous reasons to believe that Nemiya's writings may have carried some truth. "Perhaps we have all been betrayed by the man we once called Great," wrote one anonymous writer.

Looking back, credit should be given to Solath for keeping his people as unified as he did. In 1604, he announced his plans to create Karim; a civic district including an opera house and concert hall. The distraction away from the religious arguments was obvious to the public but they seemed to welcome it. There was excitement from his proposal and construction began in 1610. The entire area was not finished until 1650, due to varying construction problems, but when it finally did open, there was a great excitement with the culture.

Solath's wife passed away in 1735 leaving him with two daughters. It was not long after her passing away that he re-married, against the advice of a prophetss, to a younger woman named Jolatha. Jolatha gave birth to Solath's first son in 1748 and though Solath was extremely pleased, many in the religious community were somewhat apprehensive. Public records clearly indicate that Jolatha was a well-known member of an influential cult group known as The Tree although Solath denied that fact to the day of his death.

The culture remain fairly stable until the death of Solath in 1779. He was 356 years old and left the throne to his first-born son.

King Tejara monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Tejara

Tejara - Took the throne in 3219 at the age of 114. Though his father was considered to be an extremely decent and honorable man (especially in his later years), Tejara did not follow in those footsteps.

It's said that he was an intelligent man but that he used that intelligence and cleverness for his own personal gain throughout his life*. In fact, rumors say that Tejara succeeded rather well at convincing his own father that he was the perfect choice for the throne when most believed that one of his two younger brothers would have done much more for his people than he ever did.

If there was one thing that seemed to direct Tejara's reign, it was personal gain. He was known as a masterful pretender long after his death while those who saw through his lies during his reign, were few and far between*.

Due to Tejara's nature, there is not much good that can be said about his time in the throne. The palace underwent a major renovation in 3271 and in 3279 the Writer's Guild presented Tejara with The King's Age, of the most beautiful and amazing Ages that had been written up to that point*. It was later discovered that Tejara had ordered the Age written by two Writers who eventually "died" of mysterious illnesses after their work was done.

Tejara was married officially to one woman although there were many rumors of multiple other "companions". As it turned out, Tejara was also known within his inner circle, to be an extremely jealous man, especially of his wife and the other women in his life.

In 3285 Tejara's oldest brother was imprisoned for the creation of illicit Ages, a crime he vehemently denied to the time of his imprisonment. Tejara expressed great sorrow at the sentencing although it was later learned (well after Tejara's death) that the crime had been set-up as punishment for what Tejara had perceived as lustful looks from his brother.

In 3298 a Guild Master of the Guild of Miners was killed in a freak accident while inspecting the progress of new tunnels. Again it was later learned that Tejara had ordered the man killed due to a relationship he had had many years earlier with one of Tejara's lovers, long before Tejara had met her.

Though Tejara's reign was viewed as fairly repuslive by most, it is important to note that for the first time in their history, the people of D'ni remained strong and focused, even under the leadership of a poor King. The words and teachings of Tevahr stayed in their hearts and they focused on their personal lives (and if they were pleasing to Yahvo) more than their King*.

If there is anything good to be said of Tejara it is that he did not destroy the fragile condition of his people. Religion was not important to him and thus, though he never did anything to encourage his people one way or another, he did nothing to prevent those who wished to believe a certain way, from doing so.

Tejara died in 3422 at the age of 317 and left the throne to his "third" son. Though Tejara claimed that the boy was born of his wife there were quite a few rumors that the boy was actually the first son of one of Tejara's younger maidens. The rumor was never proved either way as both his wife and the maiden passed away two years after the boy was born. Though officially Tejara had three sons, it's possible that he actually fathered twelve sons and seven daughters, an exorbitant number for a D'ni*.

* Excerpted from Grand Master Jaron's, of the Guild of Writers, private journal

* From "The Lost Son" written by the Prophetess Hailesi in 3422

* Grand Master Jaron's private journal

* From "The Lasting Impact" written by the grandson of Tevahr, Ailem, in 3576

* It should be noted that most of these facts were not public information until long after Tejara's death. For the most part, the D'ni honestly believed that Tejara had been a decent king. Though some began to judge the reign of Tejara by his son, it was not until much later when truths were revealed, that the public's opinion of Tejara truly changed.

King Ti'amel monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Ti'amel

Ti'amel - Took the throne in 3422 at the young age of 39. Like his father, Ti'amel's major concern was personal pleasure. Unlike his father, he seemed to be not nearly as clever at hiding his true intentions from his people.

In spite of Ti'amel's inability to lead, a few worthwhile historic events were carried out during his reign.

First, was the construction of Stone Eater in 3469. Though Ti'amel really had nothing to do with the Guild of Miners first colossal tunneling machine, he claimed quite a bit of the credit at it's christening. Grand Master Namen, of the Guild of Miners, who did spearhead the effort, was irate at the lack of mention of his own name during the speech and made his thoughts public in the days that followed.

Like his father, Ti'amel carried out relations with quite a few different women, besides his wife, Shama, whom he married in 3477. Unlike his father, it was said of Ti'amel that these women, including his wife, much more easily persuaded him.

Public opinion clearly believed that Shama was a rather incredible woman. Why she stayed with him through his entire life, even through his well-publicized "affairs", was not as clear. Some said she used Ti'amel, and the marriage for her benefit, as she definitely had his ear*. Others said it was because she was a faithful follower of Yahvo and believed that the promise she had made to him was not meant to be broken*.

Regardless, it seems clear that Shama was an intelligent woman who, though it was never stated publicly, for all practical purposes held the throne from 3477 on.

In 3500 women became eligible for Minor Guild education. Though there had been women participation in the Minor Guilds before that point (actresses, etc...) they had never been officially recognized as members of those guilds.

Though there was a push to allow women to join the Major Guilds as well as the Minor, Shama herself gave a strong case not to allow such an event to happen in 3523*. She strongly disagreed with women being in governmental positions, a seemingly ironic view as she was basically "King" of D'ni at the time of her speech. Regardless, she argued that women had much more important duties including the guiding of children. The push for such allowances seemed to fade away in the years following her speech.

In 3574, Shama gave birth to Ti'amel's first son (at least that the public knew of). For the remaining years of Ti'amel's reign, Shama focused on the raising of her son, whom she vowed would not be the same kind of man as his father. A daughter was born thirty years later and Shama raised her with equal resolve.

Again, though the people were not led well they remained strong in their beliefs and purposes, somewhat ignoring the bad leadership of Ti'amel and instead focusing on the high example of his wife*.

Ti'amel passed away from an unknown disease in 3654 at the age of 271, giving the throne to his first-born son.

* Written by the Prophetess Athsheba in private journals

* From "Shama" written by Lalen in 3890

* Shama's words were spoken to the Council as they debated whether or not to allow women into the Major Guilds

* From "The Lasting Impact" written by the grandson of Tevahr, Ailem, in 3576

King Veesha monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Veesha

Veesha - Veesha took the throne in the year 812 at the age of 95. When Veesha took the throne he already had two sons of his own and ended up having three more before his death (a large number for D'ni).

Though his father had completely rejected religion in his later years, Veesha was an extremely religious man who, some say, tried too hard to push his convictions on the people and, in the end, probably pushed many away. In fact, he forced into law a number of strict guidelines pertaining to marriage and adultery as well as oaths and vows, many of which were removed by his son.

Many say the greatest mark of Veesh's reign concerned the health of his fifth son. The boy was a Maintainer and at the age of 50, on a routine check of Ages, was almost killed. Though the cause of his near-death is unclear (certain documents point to inhalation of toxic gases), he ended up falling into a deep coma that the Healers said he would never come out of.

In response, Veesha gave a powerful speech boldly announcing to the people that Yahvo would heal his son and that he would awake again. Despite opposition from the Church, two prophetesses who advised him, and the Guild of Healers, Veesha maintained his faith for over three years until the "impossible" happened and his son awoke.

Though many disagreed with Veesha's religious convictions, "there was not a single D'ni besides Veesha, who was not shocked by the awakening' and forced to look again at their own faith in Yahvo.*"

Veesha died of natural consequences in 997 at the age of 280. He left the throne to the "reborn" son, Mararon.

* From "The Miracle" written by Teshan in 1072

King Yableshan monument notebook

Found in the Monument to the Kings in the Palace Rotunda in Ae'gura.

King Yableshan

Took the throne in 4843 at the age of 109.

Though most commentaries say that he held to the same beliefs as his father, it seems he was not nearly as strong and thus, didn't not carry the level of respect that his father had; a character trait that some of the more violent factions preyed upon.

Demath had managed to re-focus the D'ni to a large part. However, the few factions who still desired to make their case were able to make Yableshan's reign an unpleasant one.

In 4865, the Blood of Yahvo kidnapped Yableshan's first son from the Guild of Chemists. In a letter the faction stated they would kill the King's son if one of their own leaders was not released*. Yableshan ordered the Relyimah to find his son, but they were apparently unable to do so (later it was discovered that a key member of the Relyimah had joined the Blood of Yahvo and was aiding them).

Feeling forced, Yableshan gave into the demands and released the prisoner they had asked for. The body of his son appeared on the steps of the palace a few days later.

The death of Yableshan's son, along with newfound evidences of a mole within the Relyimah, further separated D'ni into two sides. Those who wished to end outside intervention were becoming stronger, publicly raising their cause, almost daily. Those who followed the majority were growing angrier and less tolerable of those who did not. As a result, there is little doubt that there were very few D'ni left who fell into the middle ground. There were even less, including Yableshan, who could bridge the two sides*.

Yableshan, in an apparent attempt to divert his people's attention from the brewing wars, decided in 4889 to announce remodels for all of the 18 Major Guilds. It was the first of its kind since the D'ni had been founded and warmly embraced by the Guilds. Under the announcement, Yablehsan changed some of the original restrictions of Ri'neref, offering the Guilds more liberty in the structures they could build.

In 4901, Yableshan stated his plans for a new Common Library, located directly within the Vamen District of D'ni (a middle-class district). In 4910 he announced plans for a new park to be built on Neref Island. In 4914 three new Recreation Ages were placed within the park as gifts from the Guild of Writers in order to celebrate the completion of their new Guild.

The diversions seemed to do their job until 4954 when an explosion occurred on the Age of Meanas*, killing 400 outsiders and 78 D'ni. It was apparently the result of a bad combination of gasses: one, the D'ni had brought with them and the other, already in existence on Meanas. Another push was begun to seal themselves from outside influence.

The Relyimah (who were usually counted on in these situations) apparently had no information as to the facts of the explosion. They were still apparently in the midst of their own chaos, trying to discover the mole. There were some who thought the explosion has been a set-up, but it could not be proven*.

In 5043 Yableshan placed a man by the name of Faresh in charge of the Guild of Illusionists. His first mission, as ordered by Yableshan himself, was to find whoever was destroying the Relyimah's ability to gain knowlege.

Though most believe that Faresh had been more interested in actual illusions than the Unseen he was also known as an extremely intelligent man and immediately put into action a plan to clean up the Relyimah. He also began construction of a house on one of the private islands of the cavern that blatantly demonstrated his love for illusions.

Yableshan died in 5081 at the age of 347. He never had any other children after his son was killed and left the throne to his youngest brother-n-law (his younger sister's husband).

* Goshen had been imprisoned in a prison Book fifty years earlier by Demath

* From How They Came; A Detailed Look at what started the Mee-Dis War by Jamen. Written in 7201

* Meanas was well known for its production of mining machinery

* From Revealing the Unseen written by Besharen in 5999

References